The Night of Power (starts this evening)
The Night of Power, or “Laylat al-Qadr” as it is known in Arabic, is one of the most significant moments of the Islamic year. Muslims believe that groups of angels are sent out on the Night of Power to perform special purposes. Some come down to earth to worship Allah, others come to bring about the requests of believing Muslims. Special angels are also said to descend to earth to make proclamations about the coming year. This night is also called the “Night of the Decree or Destiny” by some.

This night of “blessing” is supposedly the same night of the month of Ramadan as when Mohammed first received the revelation of the Quran, but may actually be one of several nights. Bukhari, a companion of Mohammed, reported that the prophet of Islam said, “Seek it on the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” According to the Hadith by Ubayy bin Ka’ab, Mohammed also said, “By Allah, I know which night it is. It is the night the Messenger commanded us to observe, the 27th night.” Even so, according to many the exact moment during Ramadan remains a mystery to test the sincerity of Muslims concerning their faith. The seriously interested person will seek God’s blessings all night until he or she attains this moment of blessing, regardless of the hardship.

Muslims are often encouraged to stay awake during the entire night, and pray for blessings and forgiveness. This is one moment of the year when Muslims have a bit more confidence that God will hear and act on their behalf. According to tradition, Mohammed is supposed to have said: “Whoever prays during the Night of Power with faith and hoping for its reward will have all his previous sins forgiven.”

Muslims often also recite the Quran on this night while making special requests to God. Others may evaluate their own lives and make plans for the next year. Sometimes Muslims will take time off work to be able to stay up all night, spending the time at the local mosque.

Muslims come to this night with several attitudes. Some want to prove their devotion to God through their prayers, even being proud of their religious accomplishments. Others, knowing in their hearts that they are incapable of really pleasing God by their own religious activity, will feel disappointed with themselves. Finally, significant numbers will be praying in desperation and are genuinely seeking help from God.
 
Notes on the Quran
All chapters of the Quran begin with the words “In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.” While this sounds like a Biblical idea of God it is actually the exact opposite concept. In popular Islamic thinking grace is definitely something to be “earned.” One receives grace and pardon by performing certain religious acts. Allah is gracious only to those who practice Islam. He is no lover of sinners.

Meritorious religious activity receives grace in Islam. For example: Some Muslims believe that they will receive the merit of 100,000 daily prayers by praying at the Mosque Haram in Mecca. This amounts to about 55 years of prayer five times per day. This merit will weigh heavily in the balance on the Day of Judgement. However, to receive such merit Muslims need to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. They receive merit and forgiveness as a result of their religious activity (if it is God’s will).
 
PRAYER REQUESTS
Be specific in your praying. Ask God to inspire you. Often women who are sterile will look to God to conceive as a result of their praying during this night. Others who are unemployed will pray. Some who are having family problems or who are sick will also be calling on God during this night.

• Although it may be uncomfortable for some Christians, please pray for supernatural revelation of Jesus in dreams and visions during this night. We personally are witness to many, many people who have received these visions revealing who the true Savior is! Think of Muslims in your city, your region or your country or elsewhere. Ask God to guide your prayers. At the same time pray that people who have revelations will soon meet believers who can help them become disciples (Acts 10:1-48).
• Pray that the Lord break down all thoughts of self-righteousness through religious activity among Muslims who participate in the Night of Power.
• Pray for those who are genuinely seeking God’s help this night. May God give them the help they need in such a way that they will understand that it comes to them only through the Messiah, Jesus (Ps 34:18, Zech 9:9).