麻豆约拍

Good morning.聽 Muslims all over the world are preparing for the month of Ramadan. During the month every healthy adult Muslim must fast from dawn until sunset. This year we will have the longest fasts of up to twenty hours. According to the Qur鈥檃n, fasting is nothing new. Other communities before Muslims also fasted and some still do. Some people even fast to diet. Fasting is meant to help Muslims become more God conscious, more righteous and to be reminded that God watches everyone all the time. I鈥檝e found myself all alone at home many times whilst fasting yet I鈥檝e never helped myself to any food despite my hunger because I know God is watching me. If we can remember this every time we intend to do something wrong, it might help to stop us from doing it. If we can learn the lessons of Ramadan well they should help us to remain connected with God and to be disciplined at all times. Ramadan is like spring when everything blossoms. It is a time for us to refresh our connection with God. Well, at least that鈥檚 how it鈥檚 supposed to work. But in practice sometimes it seems many Muslims have missed the point. We end up eating a lot more in Ramadan. Shopping trips with my wife begin weeks in advance. All kinds of foods are prepared for stocking up freezers. A lot of time is spent preparing hot meals to break the fast at iftar. So rather than spending extra time in prayer, more time is spent in food. This over eating then affects the pattern of work, rest and prayer. Dear God, enable us all to take advantage of the opportunities You give to us to strengthen our relationship with you, amin.