Ramadan has come once again. This time of the year, in the Islamic calendar, is a time when Muslims are desperately seeking to please God and to know Him more through extra prayers and fasting. Many Christians have heard of Ramadan in connection with Islam but may not fully understand what it is, when it occurs, or what significance it has.

Ramadan is considered by most Muslims the holiest month of the year and occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (based on a lunar calendar, so it changes each year). Fasting during this month is important to Muslims as it is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is required for them to fast from sunrise until sunset the entire month. After the sun sets, Muslims enjoy a time of breaking their fast each night over a meal with family and friends.

Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world pray and fast from food, water, and other physical needs and desires in order to grow closer to their god. For many Muslims living in the Middle East and North Africa, this fasting is obligatory, and locals, even Christians in many places, can face persecution or prison for eating or drinking in public.

While we know that no amount of fasting, prayer, or good works will help them attain salvation, we are praying that God would use this time to work in their hearts to seek the truth of the Gospel.