November 2007 Pacific Rim Prayer Emphasis:
The Banten Javanese of Indonesia

“‘And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.’” Matthew 24:31, NASB.

More than half a million Banten Javanese live along the coast around the old port town of Banten, which is now a sleepy fishing community in the Northwest part of Java, Indonesia. ancient Banten is still of great interest to historians and archeologists. While the area has long been open to the outside world for tourism and trade, the people have carefully maintained their distinct traditions.

Since the establishment of the Sultanate of Banten in the 16th century, a majority of the Banten citizens, both Javanese and Sundanese, claimed Islam as their faith. However, they still maintain deep ties to black magic and occult power that were part of the culture before Islam. Debus is a good example of this. Debus is a famous art form in which a practitioner recites certain mantras that render his body invulnerable to physical blows, fire and sharp objects.

There are few known believers among the Banten Javanese. Not many Christians have even tried to reach this people group. The Banten Javanese are typically poor and uneducated. Most education is provided through religious schools. It is believed that low or no cost education projects would open many doors for local believers to show God’s love.

Pray that:

God’s light will reveal the source of black magic used by the Banten Javanese so they can see who they are serving and choose to seek the ways of God alone.

God will prepare the hearts of village leaders to allow the Gospel into their villages.

Believers living near the Banten Javanese will be encouraged and trained to be effective witnesses.

Believers living among the residents of Banten will become increasingly burdened to share the Gospel.

Long-term workers will be called to live, sow and plant the Gospel in the Banten area.

Education projects will be developed and wisely implemented among the people living in the Banten area.

Wisdom will be given to believers regarding the best way to reach the people of Banten with the Gospel.

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Download the November Pacific Rim Prayer Calendar.