These Junior High School girls are participating in a
regular exercise at their school. They march through the streets of their town
and sing together as they march. The purpose of the exercise is exercise, but
it’s also meant to build unity within the school and community. Being out of
step with the values of the school and community are highly discouraged.
Community pressure to stay in line is one of the tools to
keep the young from rebelling and falling into negative behaviors. The idea of
being part of something bigger than yourself is indoctrinated into the thinking
of Indonesian children from a young age.
Religion is a key part of community identity. Anyone
deviating from the norm will receive pressure to fall back into line. Those who
refuse to fall back into line are often persecuted by family and community. The
cost of being different is often too much for individuals to bear. It’s
perfectly okay to be nominal in your adherence to religion, just don’t break
ranks with the rest.
Pray for new
believers who are being persecuted for breaking ranks.
Pray for more
Sumatrans to understand the value of the Gospel so that they are willing to pay
the price of being a follower of Jesus.
Pray for workers
to have wisdom, courage, and access to help new believers in the midst of
persecution. When persecution starts, workers often lose contact with new
believers.
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