Prayer Beads

This necklace-like strand of beads was photographed in a mosque in Jambi, Indonesia. It’s used like a Rosary. Each bead represents a name of God that highlights His wonderful attributes. There’s a famous Arabic proverb that states, “Only the camel knows the 100^th name of God.”

It’s interesting that many religions have similar systems to allow their adherents to focus during a prayer related ritual. The Buddhists and Hindus have similar practices. The problem with all of these systems is they can quickly become ritualistic and lose the meaning that they originally helped people to focus on.

Every good religious practice has within it the seeds of ritualism. Many Muslims believe that if they faithfully recite the names of God, it will bring them blessings and protect them from evil. Prayer itself has become a magic charm to get God to do whatever the person desires. If believers are not careful, this tendency towards ritualism can enter into Christianity as easily as it does into other world religions. We have the same tendency to view prayer as a means to use God.

Pray that believers who are focused on praying for the peoples of Sumatra will not fall into the trap of ritualistic praying that has no passion and no meaning.

Pray that Christians on Sumatra will be set free from traditional rituals that no longer have meaning, or whose meaning has become inconsistent with God’s Word.

Pray for those praying to a God they don’t yet know to meet with believers who can introduce them to Him.

Pay to Pass

These elementary school students are Belitung Malay. They are the equivalent of 3^rd grade. As you can see, students on Sumatra generally wear school uniforms. Government assistance is provided up through 12^th grade, but most Sumatran children in rural areas stop going to school by 6^th grade. The reason for this huge drop-out rate is poor Indonesian families cannot afford the cost of uniforms, books, and transportation that’s not covered by government assistance.

The higher education system in Indonesia is often corrupt. It was reported in local newspapers that some students purchased degrees outright without having to do any of the course work or set for any of the examinations. It’s also not uncommon to have professors not show up to class. Students have to pay the professors “tutoring fees” to actually be taught the classroom information. Students also have to pay additional “fees” to receive their test scores.

The students pictured here are fortunate. Their school is K to 12^th grade. Most of them will receive more education than the average Sumatran child. Before Indonesia will be able to truly progress as a society major education reforms are needed.

Many workers on Sumatra provide financial assistance to children living in the area so they can continue their education.

Pray for workers to have wisdom as they help children in their area to have a brighter future.

Pray that Christian teachers will resist the “fees” that many other teachers charge to supplement their income.

Pray that Sumatran schools will pay their teachers a more livable wage so that the temptation to seek other income is not so strong.

Pray for Sumatran students to resist the urge to take the easy way out by paying for grades. Ask the Lord to give them integrity and a desire to actually learn the course work.