Five times a day the call to prayer sounds in the central region of the island of Java in the country of Indonesia. As the call echoes through the villages, most of the population stop their activity to go and pray. With their faces bowed toward Mecca, they repeat their prayers. Then they rise and go back to their normal activities.

These people, identified as the Java Pesisir Lor, have a population of 36 million and live in a densely populated area known for its friendly people and lush rice paddies. This is an agricultural community, with many of the men working in the fields. However, many young people have moved to surrounding cities, looking for a greater opportunity for their futures.

Even amid this culture-shift, the idea of family and honoring elders is extremely important. The Java Pesisir Lor value community and time together and no financial or personal sacrifice is too great for a family member. Nothing is worse than displeasing or shaming one’s family.

Because of this, many young people continue in the religious ways of their parents whether they feel personal conviction or not. They continue to fast, to pray five times a day and to give to the poor, but their motivations may stem from obligation as opposed to true belief.

Pray for them

• Educational opportunities are a great need for the young people of village families, especially for girls.
• Wise, honest leadership is needed in this region, particularly to carefully steward the natural resources that provide for the people who live there.
• This region has very little opportunity to hear of Jesus. Pray for Indonesian believers to be bold in witness and for miraculous revelations of Christ among this people.