A New Fast - A Glimpse into Ramadan

This article was updated from a previous article and published in French at TPSG.

At just past midnight last night, the sounds of loud singing and chanting coming from the nearby worshipers finally subsided.  This was yet another introduction to the religion and culture of our new home.  Last night marked the beginning of the month of Ramadan.  From March 22 to April 20, devout adherents of Islam will fast from sunrise to sunset, not only abstaining from food, but also from drink (some even avoid swallowing their own saliva!).  It's hard enough to imagine not eating all day for a month straight, but not drinking any water in this heat is even more unimaginable!  Such fasting is done in the hopes of finding favour before Allah and in so doing attain to Paradise.  

In light of this month's significance to 94% of Senegalese people, I thought it worth revisiting what we as followers of Jesus Christ believe about fasting.  And fortunately, one of the few books we brought with us is John Piper's "A Hunger for God."  Notice the contrast b/t our fasting and the fasting taking place all around us:

"As an act of faith, Christian fasting is an expression of dissatisfied contentment in the all-sufficiency of Christ.  It is an expression of secure and happy longing for the all-satisfying fullness of Christ.  Christian fasting does not tremble in the hopes of winning anything from Christ.  It looks away from itself to the final payment of Calvary for every blessing it will ever receive.  Christian fasting is not self-wrought discipline that tries to deserve more from God.  It is a hunger for God awakened by the taste of God freely given in the gospel."(page 44)

Would you join me in praying earnestly for the Muslim world at this time?  This link has a well-made prayer guide for the month.  Next time you feel hungry and reach for a sandwich, think of those who are going without food and water today, hoping to please their God and remember the finished work of Christ at the cross that frees us from slavery to works of the flesh.  Hallelujah, what a Saviour!