During the month of Ramadan, as many of our Muslim friends devote themselves to fasting and seeking God, a passage from Zechariah 12:10 comes to mind:
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child.”
While this verse speaks of a future time when Israel will recognise Jesus as the Messiah, a crucial detail stands out; God Himself declares that He will pour out a Spirit of grace and pleas for mercy so that they will look upon Him and recognise the One they have pierced.
This emphasizes a divine principle: before true revelation comes, God first extends His grace and stirs hearts to cry out for mercy.
This truth is significant as we intercede for those who are fasting during Ramadan. Many within the Muslim world are earnestly seeking God, desiring purification, and longing for spiritual closeness. Yet, Jesus once said, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?” (Mark 2:19).
The reason for their fasting is deeply spiritual; they are longing for something, or rather someone, they have not yet fully encountered.
Just as John’s disciples fasted while awaiting the Messiah, many today are fasting without realising that the Bridegroom has already come; and that He is coming again to redeem them.
Our prayer is that, in this season, God will pour out the Holy Spirit upon them, awakening them to the reality of Jesus as their Savior and Bridegroom.
In Luke 11:13, Jesus gives us a profound promise: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
If earthly parents, despite their shortcomings, desire to give good things to their children, how much more does our perfect Father delight in pouring out His Spirit on those who seek Him?
This should encourage us to pray boldly, not with hesitation but with confidence, knowing that God is more willing to give than we are to ask.
As we intercede, we are not persuading a reluctant God to move; He is already willing and eager to pour out His Spirit of grace and mercy so that people may see Jesus rightly.
A striking image within Islamic tradition is the wearing of white garments by religious leaders and students in Quranic schools.
This symbolizes a desire for purity and righteousness, yet the Scriptures reveal that true purity is not something one can achieve by human effort, but rather something God Himself provides.
Isaiah 61:10 declares, “He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Similarly, Zechariah 3:3-5 speaks of God removing the filthy garments of Joshua the high priest and replacing them with pure vestments.
In the parable of the prodigal son, when the son returned home, the father commanded his servants to “bring quickly the best robe and put it on him” (Luke 15:22).
This is the heart of the Gospel; God does not demand that we purify ourselves before coming to Him, but rather He runs to us, embraces us, and clothes us with righteousness.
As we pray for Muslims in Singapore, Malaysia, and beyond, let us ask God to fulfill His promise of pouring out the Spirit of grace and pleas for mercy upon them.
May their spiritual hunger and longing for purity lead them to the Lamb who was slain for them. Let them see that the very reason they fast is because the Bridegroom is not yet fully revealed to them, and may they come to recognise that Jesus is not just a prophet but their Redeemer.
We also pray that God will speak to them in visions and dreams, as He has done throughout history, revealing Himself in a personal and undeniable way.
If we can see this clearly in our spirit, then it shall be done.
The Holy Spirit is already moving, and our prayers align with His desire to bring salvation to the nations.
Just as God has promised to open the eyes of Israel to recognise their Messiah, may He today also awaken many in the Muslim world to behold the beauty of His Son.
