RAMADAN

See Article below as taken from the:

Newstraitstimes

Thurs. Aug. 27, 2009.

Saturday first Ramadan for Saudi Arabia too

2009/08/21

Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has quoted the Saudi Supreme Court as announcing that Saturday will be the first day of Ramadan 1430 H, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

In a statement, the Royal Court said the Supreme Court made the announcement following a special meeting this evening in Taif.

As per Prophet Mohammed's instructions when nobody reports to have spotted the crescent of Ramadan, and as nobody have made such a report Thursday evening, Friday will be considered the 30th of the month of Shaaban hence Saturday will be the first day of Ramadan 1430 H., the Supreme Court was quoted as saying.

The Supreme Court also congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General; Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior; the Saudi government and people and expatriates on the holy month of Ramadan, wishing them easy, successful and acceptable fasting. - Bernama

***PzNPRa***

Please commit yourself to praying daily for these three. Pray that each will become Born Again. Pray that they will hear and accept the truth of JESUS and HIS Salvation!

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz

RAMADAN

LUNAR CALENDAR

New Moon Sighting/ Astronomical Findings

Yes the beginning of Ramadan is pronounced with the readings of Astronomy charts and the New Moon spotting. With the pronouncement comes the month of fasting.

In Saudi Arabia an Imam or a "Holy man" will make the announcement that Ramadan has begun. At this time the whole country goes into a legalistic fasting routine.
This is the ultimate of their practice in the phrase, " Watching your P's and Q's!"

The end of this practice will also be declared with the sighting of the next New Moon. Most likely this will be 30 days long.

***PzNPra***
Pray for all of the "Imam's" of Saudi Arabia. Pray that they will have miracle encounters with the LIVING GOD!

Pray that the traditions that bind and blind Saudi's will be broken and that the scales of their eyes and understanding will be removed.

Pray that they will become seekers of THE SON- not the new moon.

RAMADAN

THE ROUTINE
Practice should make perfect!

Saudi Practice
Up at 4:30, a meal is eaten. First prayer around 5:30 is given. Not even a piece of gum is to be enjoyed during the day. Second and Third prayers in the afternoon- one early one late are given. Fast is broken at sunset. Tea is prepared. A meal of dates is eaten, with other people who are invited to break the fast. These get togethers are called Iftar parties. These are important for piety's sake and unity. Before dinner there is the fourth prayer. After dinner the 5th and last prayer of the day is prayed. There is a recitation in the mosque. This continues for 30 days! During these 30 days work and duties continue as usual. The heat is brutal and days are long.

***PzNPra***
Pray that the eyes of the Saudi's will be opened to see the futility of this practice.

Pray that Saudi's will know JESUS.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11: 28-30 New International Version (NIV)

RAMADAN

THE FORMULA
(HTLF= MRx70)
Helping the Less Fortunate=More Rewards. 1=1x70=MORE

A time of generosity! A time of charity! A time to increase one's rewards!

During this time of Ramadan, Saudi's are doing their best to help the poor and needy. They are working very hard to help the less fortunate not only financially, but emotionally as well. The belief is that each and every help they give will be multiplied 70 times or more in rewards for them.

The fasting is to give each Saudi the feeling that comes for the poor on a regular basis. They can identify with the less fortunate. This is good! What isn't good is the lie that they must persuade God to accept them on their own. This FORMULA becomes critical in their behavior during this season. What they believe is gathered for them during this time will cover them and carry them through the next year, until it starts all over again. They have no confidence , only wishful thinking that it will all balance out.

***PzNPra***
Pray for the Saudi's that all FORMULAS will be replaced with understanding of GOD'S MERCY,LOVE, REDEMPTION AND GRACE!

Pray also for the less fortunate Saudi's that they will come to know CHRIST and the riches in that personal relationship.

RAMADAN

Carrying Their Own Burdens Carrying Their Own Burdens Carrying Their Own Burdens Carrying Their Own Burdens Carrying Their Own Burdens Carrying Their Own Burdens Carrying Their Own Burdens Carrying Their Own Burdens Carrying Their Own Burdens Carrying Their Own Burdens

Saudi's are required to observe Ramadan. What does Ramadan mean, anyway? In Arabic , the word is ramida or ar-ramad. This means severe heat or intense dryness, like from the ground. Also there is ramdaa that means cooked or "sunbaked sand".

To Saudi's Ramadan is burning out their sins, like the sun is burning the gound. They are struggling to rise early each morning around 4:30 to have a meal before the fast starts and then to go to their first of Five prayers for the day.
They are struggling with their own humanity and trying so hard to get God's attention. There is something similar found in the Bible in the book of Psalms.
Chapter 63 states :
O God You are my God ;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.

This passage comes from the Old Testament of the Bible. This is before Christ came and lived among men, sacrificed HIMSELF and Rose again. Even so there is a difference in the knowledge of God's love toward David in this case.
This is David crying out to GOD! The difference here is that David new full well that GOD knew him. David knew that he and GOD had relationship. Saudi's have no idea if God has relationship with them or not. They are completely clueless whether they are known by GOD or not and even so, if they are , Will they be accepted?

If you ask a Saudi, does GOD accept you now?
A Saudi will reply "God willing or I really hope so, but I don't know. I am not sure."
" INSHALLAH"- If God wants. This is a very fatalistic view of God, not the view of a LOVING, FORGIVING, REDEEMING, RELATIONSHIP KEEPING GOD!

***PzNPra***
Pray that Saudi's will understand that GOD has HIS eye on them.

Pray that they will know HE is seeking the lost and they are included in that list.

Pray that they will have opportunity to hear the truth about GOD'S love that HE sent JESUS and JESUS wants to know them personally.

Pray that they will become saved!

RAMADAN

Are You Fasting?

Are you? Have you? Ever?

Right now Saudi Arabs are fasting. They are doing without food, drink, smoke, and sex from the break of dawn to the dropping of the sun.
This is the month of fasting called RAMADAN. All Saudi's are required to participate in this fast. ( Children under 8 years old are dismissed from this)
This time of fasting for Saudi's is a time of writing wrongs, of seeking God for his mercy, and for pleasing him. During this time Saudi's are trying to seek forgiveness for their past sins and are seeking to capitalize on their "rewards" from God.
God is not a personal friend. He is far, far away, thus the struggle to execute this fast without flaws is harsh.

***PzNPra***

Pray for all Saudi's that they will come to know that GOD is close by, that HE cares about them, and that HE is not far, far away!

Profile 14

The Teacher

This teacher has her own children. She is known to ask many questions about various topics. This is a good sign in regards to the possibility of a religious conversation.

***PzNPra***
Pray that this teacher will have opportunity to ask believer's her questions. Pray that she will think and question deeply the practice of Islam and the premise that "Sharia Law" is founded on.