BLOG: Ramadan for a new believer

Each year more and more people from a Muslim background give their lives to Christ!

For many believers, this year’s fast, which began at the start of this month, has been their first Ramadan since making the decision to follow Jesus. Some, who have been keeping their faith secret, will be fasting. Others who have already taken the bold step of declaring their faith, have now had to decide whether to take part in the fast to keep the peace or to refuse to join in, risking further exclusion.

What would you do?

Mounir and Fadi

Mounir and Fadi work in our media team, responding to messages from people seeking Christ in the Arab world. Both are from a Muslim background and made the decision to leave Islam many years ago.

They shared a few insights on how they found their first Ramadan as Christians.

Mounir

Mounir, originally from the Middle East, chose not to fast, but neither did he eat in front of other people.

At that time, he didn’t live at home, but whenever he saw his family, they would ask him why he wasn’t fasting. They felt they might be punished because of his actions, but he would assure them they wouldn’t.

Mounir says he was grateful that when he was a new believer, God opened the door for him to work in the church. This helped him to grow in his faith.

Fadi

Fadi is from North Africa. He was in college when he became a Christian. He lived with a group of friends who had rebelled and rejected Islam and religion.

A close friend noticed that Fadi wasn’t keeping the fast and asked him if he was an atheist. Fadi took the opportunity to speak about his faith in Christ. His friend had a lot of respect for him after that because he wasn’t mocking God and religion as the others were.

Fadi says that being a believer from a Muslim background can be very challenging, depending on one’s family, social, and political background. Each new convert is aware of the potential consequences of their choice and may be very fearful about getting caught.

Honouring family, overcoming fear

Fadi shared some thoughts on what new believers will be going through during Ramadan:

I always knew when to fast and when not to. I was imitating the person who brought me to the Lord. One of the greatest qualities I admired in him was love and respect towards others, regardless of their age, education, or gender.

I remember when I returned home on weekends during Ramadan. I fasted, not because I feared my parents, but out of respect and love for them, even when they knew I had no reason to observe the fast. Many years later, when I happened to be with my parents during Ramadan, my mum secretly asked my sister to prepare food for me. This was out of respect and love towards me because I had always honoured them.

I think the toughest struggle for a new convert is overcoming the fear of being confronted. But if faith in Christ runs deep in the heart, then there are no worries. This means that the person has considered the cost of following Christ and is convinced it is worth it.

Pray for new believers this Ramadan

Let’s pray for all new believers experiencing Ramadan for the first time since accepting the truth.

Pray against fear and against feelings of shame for those who have been keeping the fast. May they know God’s peace and presence.
Pray that Ramadan will be a time in which all believers from a Muslim background draw near to God and depend on him more.
Pray for the families of believers, particularly for healing of relationships and for understanding. May they feel honoured, just as Fadi’s family did. May they have an opportunity to know just how loved they are by their Creator, who offers them eternal life through Jesus.

This article was originally shared by Arab World Media.