We are currently in the 30 days of Ramadan (the holy month of fasting in Islam) which takes place each year during the time the Qur’an was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Over one billion Muslims around the world are participating in this year’s fast from Aug. 22 through Sept. 20–from dawn until sunset–refraining from eating, drinking, sexual conduct, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured. It’s a time to offer more prayer than usual, for purification, good deeds, and achieving reward.

Pictured here is a string of Muslim prayer beads. As a Muslim fingers these 99 beads, he or she recites the 99 names of God. Pray that one day many Muslims will know a new name of God, and exalt the name of Jesus!