Prayer: A Great Way to Meet Neighbors

It was still the middle of Ramadan and I was visiting the city I soon hope to call home. I, and a group of other foreigners, arrived at the restaurant a good ten minutes before the breaking of the fast. We placed our order and were surprised when the guy brought out our food before it was time to eat. Everyone else in the restaurant still sat awaiting the official moment. We decided to wait too, even though our noodles were getting cold. The other guests noticed we didn’t dive right in and started asking each other about it. Since I could understand their conversation I decided to answer. “It is not okay to eat in front of people who are fasting. We want to show you guys respect. It is only five more minutes. We can wait.”  

 

 They all seemed so touched. Soon, children from almost every table were bringing us a couple of cookies or some of the homemade yogurt they had brought to the restaurant. Everyone was nodding in approval and thanking us. At the appointed time, the room grew quiet as everyone offered a quick prayer. We too, bowed our heads and offered up a prayer on behalf of those sitting close by.  

 

Later that night, as we were walking back, an older woman and her family, who had been at the restaurant with us, spotted me on the street. After getting my attention, she said, “You prayed for a long time before you ate. What did you say to God?”  “Well,” I said, asking God for wisdom even in that moment, “actually I was praying for you and the others in the restaurant. I know you want to draw close to God at Ramadan and I know He has created only one true way to himself, I was praying that you would find His way and never depart.” I was unsure how she would take my comment. I was hoping she would ask what that one right way was; but I was also scared she might be mad that I had insinuated she hadn’t found it yet, even though she was dressed like a very devout Muslm lady. Instead she lovingly patted my check and murmured, “You are a good girl”.  

 

She turned to leave and I noticed that we continued to walk in the same direction. I asked her where she was heading and, as only God can orchestrate, I quickly discovered that she is going to be one of my new neighbors, living just a few floors below me. “Oh big sister,” I said, “this is wonderful, we will be able to have many more conversations about how God truly wants us to draw close to him. I can’t wait to share with you all that He has been teaching me.” She grabbed my hand lovingly and continued to squeeze it all the way back to our building.