July is a hot month for most of Morocco. Coastal regions keep mild but inland temperatures soar to 40 – 50 degrees celsius! Imagine not being able to drink water during the day in these temperatures! Back in the Spring, many people in Morocco were already beginning to get anxious about another summer Ramadan. Some expressed their concerns to me about how to keep working when its so hot.

Those who can afford to will take summer holidays during Ramadan and literally switch day and night around. And I mean literally! The streets are noisy all night long. Kids are out playing football on my street until at least 2am. Down by the beach in the city where I live, makeshift cafes have been set up all along the coast, blaring loud music, bright lights, and people throng to the beach every night after the fast has been broken. There is dancing, rides for the kids, food and drinks all around. Its a huge party atmosphere during the summer Ramadan. Some people stay up all night long, eating several meals during this time and then head to bed when morning comes and sleep all day! This isn’t much of a fasting month, is it? For these people I pray that God will highlight the hypocrisy this Ramadan.

But there are others who can’t do this. Work continues for many people. And often those who are poorer. The labourers on constructions sites (imagine working in the sun on a construction site all day during Ramadan!), the farmers, the street sweepers, the bread bakers, the maids and cleaners, the shop keepers. Yes, things slow down in Ramadan. Yes, nothing opens until 10am. But there are many who have to keep going during the month of Ramadan. For these people I pray for strengthening, and protection over health and bodies. And I ask God to challenge them about what this is all for.

My heart is moved with compassion each year when I see people struggling to do the right thing, and to observe this holy month of fasting. There are many who really are genuinely trying to be good people and are seeking to please God through their obedience. For these people I ask the Holy Spirit to stir their hearts to hear God calling. I pray for dreams and visions. I ask God to give them opportunities to hear the Good News that Jesus has come to lift the heavy burdens of religious laws and to bring assurance of an eternal future and freedom and hope in the current life.

Photo : praying in the huge courtyard of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca during Ramadan.

Will you join me in praying for Muslims all across North Africa this Ramadan? I know for sure that God loves them with all His heart, and He longs for many to come to know the respite that is found only in the love and sacrifice of Jesus.

And Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matt 11:28-30