Earlier this month Muslims around the world finished their celebration of Ramadan, the holiest month on the Islamic calendar.

The Voice of the Martyrs is one of several ministries cooperating together in an effort to encourage American Christians to pray for Muslims during Ramadan, Islam's holy month where Muslims fast and pray in an effort to earn Allah's approval.

Editor’s Note: Miriam Eva is a volunteer with VOM. She traveled to the Middle East on a short-term basis with another mission organization that has a focus on the Muslim world. Though VOM works in the Middle East, we do not lead volunteers on trips there. However, we can connect you to good partner organizations that do. Let us know if you are interested.

Karlygash continues to wait and pray for the release of her husband, Yklas Kabduakasov, who is serving two years in a labor camp because of his Christian faith. Yklas, a former Muslim, was arrested in August 2015 for “inciting religious hatred.” He began serving the prison term in December 2015, but Karlygash hopes for an early release. She and their four children have not been able to see Yklas much because visitation is limited to a few hours every two months and the prison is 280 miles from their home. Please pray that Karlygash and the family will remain strong and find comfort during this time.

By now, I hope you know that prayer is foundational to VOM. We’re constantly asking for it on behalf of persecuted Christians, but did you know that we’re also praying for you?

The prayer focus for Secret Church this year was on the nation of India. Why choose India? India’s 1.2 billion people include members of all of the world’s major religions, and the country also been a hotspot for Christian persecution in recent years.

Kris kept a little notebook on hand. The Name Notebook. On her trip through several Muslim countries, she met dozens of people. At a salon, Kris took the names of the beauticians she met. From bathroom cleaners to teenagers sitting beside her in a coffee shop, if she got to know them personally, she asked their names and wrote them down in the Name Notebook. Why? To pray for them.

One of the great privileges of my life is interviewing Christians who have faced persecution. To be able to sit down with these brothers and sisters, drink tea and simply ask questions to explore their faith and their relationship with Jesus is a source of great joy to me, as well as a spur to my own faith and walk with Christ.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is the home of the fastest-growing church in the world (per Operation World). Thousands of Muslims there are choosing to follow Christ.

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