(Voice of the Persecuted) You’re invited to join us on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
WHAT IS LAYLAT AL-QADR?
Muslims believe that Allah sent the entire Quran down from the seventh heaven to the first heaven during Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power). Then the angel Gabriel progressively revealed it to Muhammad over 23 years, from 610-632 AD.
No one is completely sure which night this was. Most believe that the Quran was sent down during one of the last ten or so nights of Ramadan – the Muslim month of fasting. Many believe it was on the 27th night of Ramadan. Most Shia Muslims believe it was the 23rd night.
The authority for this belief is Surah 97 of the Quran, which is named “Power” (al-Qadr):
1We sent it down in the Night of Power. 2But how can you know what is the Night of Power? 3The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. 4In it, the angels and the Spirit are sent swarming down, by their Lord’s leave, attending to every command. 5Peace is it that Night, till the break of dawn.
WHY IS LAYLAT AL-QADR SIGNIFICANT?
The entire month of Ramadan is a time of special spiritual blessing, but the last ten days are considered the holiest nights of the year because Muslims believe the Quran was sent down then.
Laylat al-Qadr is believed to be the night in which heaven is opened and God responds to prayer in a way unlike any other night of the year. Many believe, from Surah 97, that this one night is more spiritually blessed than a thousand months – 83 years – an entire lifetime!
Some Muslims believe that Allah sets in motion his good decrees for each year during Laylat al-Qadr, which can also be translated “The Night of Destiny.” An often-cited Hadith, a traditional saying of Muhammad, says: “Whoever establishes the prayers on Laylat al-Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven” (Bukhari 1.2.34).
Muslims believe that because an entire chapter of the Quran is devoted to this night, they must approach the night with great faith, zeal in prayer, and earnestness. Laylat al-Qadr is a celebration of the giving of the Quran.
WHAT DOES LAYLAT AL-QADR LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE?
In many traditions, Muslim men spend additional time in prayer at the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Women, too, seek to spend more time in prayer and meditation during this 10-day period. During Laylat al-Qadr, Muslims stay in the mosque all night, reading the Quran and praying. They also eat their pre-dawn breakfast the following morning in the mosque.
The first 20 days of Ramadan are seen as preparation for the final 10 days of fasting. Muslims should be the most zealous and most sincere during the final days of fasting, with Laylat al-Qadr being the pinnacle of blessing.
Iranian Shias also use Laylat al-Qadr to commemorate the death of Imam Ali, the fourth successor to Muhammad. They place a copy of the Quran on their heads while praying, as their way of honoring the Quran on this important night.
In many cultures, though, Laylat al-Qadr is mostly a big all-night party, in which people spend the night eating special foods, enjoying popular music, and spending time celebrating with thousands of others out on the streets.
Together let us watch and pray along with the Prayercast Team.
PRAY THAT ON THIS NIGHT:
- the true character of Jesus would be revealed in visions and dreams.
- Muslims would be delivered from the crushing burden of trying to earn God’s favor.
- God would demonstrate His love and power through signs, wonders, and miracles.
Michael Laird, Persecution Watch Prayer Moderator
Prayer Conference Call Details
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What is Persecution Watch?
moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the conference call to share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.
Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.
We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in and pray silently or on mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!
God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.
Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader and the Persecution Watch Prayer Team
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Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.
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