Malam Minggu

This young couple is sitting along the banks of the river enjoying the sunset together in Jambi, Sumatra. It is Saturday evening or malam Minggu. It is not socially acceptable to be alone with members of the opposite sex in public unless it is malam Minggu. That is the one night that couples are allowed to date. It is not unusual to see dozens of couples together at scenic places like this on malam Minggu.

Societal norms and pressure exert a tremendous influence in every area of a Sumatran’s life. Questions such as who you can date and when you can date lead to who you can marry, what work you do, what religion you follow, how you raise children, and the cycle repeats. Such influence is not necessarily negative, but it can become so when the societal norms prevent people from obeying God. In many of the Sumatran people groups the Gospel is unilaterally rejected because it does not conform to societal religious norms.

Pray for new believers on Sumatra to have courage to stand against societal norms for the sake of being obedient to God.

Pray for people groups on Sumatra to have courage to examine their own societal norms and reject those norms that keep them from following God’s truth.

Pray for workers to have courage as they go into new areas and challenge existing societal norms for the sake of the Gospel.