About
Who are we?
We are a group of believers who are happy to partner with anyone that wants to deliver the Good News to the Banjar people in the language and format that they understand best.
Pray4theBanjar:
- knows that every church multiplication movement in history has had Extraordinary Prayer
- promotes strategic prayer based on church multiplication movement research
- sends out brief prayer points daily
- asks everyone to not only pray but also mobilize prayer through relationships and opportunities God provides
- strives to make it easier to mobilize more prayer by making it easy for people to sign up for prayer emails
- loves God, the Banjar people, and collaborating with all Christians to fulfill the Great Commission
- strives to neither under- nor over-estimate man’s role in church multiplication movements
- is not a political agenda, but rather is an effort for sinners who have found forgiveness in Christ to share this Good News with others
- understands there are security concerns when ministering to Muslims, so it never uses real names or details that will endanger people or projects
About the Banjar People
The Banjar are an ancient people of mixed ancestry living in southeastern Indonesia. The Banjar have been called the “people of the water” because they live along many rivers and depend on these waterways for their livelihood.
In addition to fishing, many Banjar work on farms and plantations. Trade, transportation and mining are also common occupations. Products produced in south Kalimantan include pepper, rice, rubber, plywood, timber, rattan, frozen shrimp and crayfish, carpets and furniture, roots for making Javanese jamu and other traditional medicines, coal, crude oil, cacao, coconut, iron ore, kaolin, limestone, diamonds, gold and other precious stones. Most of these products are of export quality.
Many Banjar villages are located along rivers, in swampy areas with thick undergrowth. Villages usually have a bridge, a least one road, several Islamic houses of worship, an elementary school, a junior high school, a cemetery and a marketplace. A mesjid (mosque) is located near the center of the village not far from the river, with a large front door and sometimes a high tower.
Nearly all Banjar are Muslim. Islam influences every aspect of individual and family life among the Banjar. Islamic feasts and the Ramadan fast are strictly observed. Many Banjar prefer modern Islamic schools to schools provided by the government. When natural disasters occur, religious officials respond immediately. The government also considers Islam its primary ally in maintaining order and controlling crime.
Praise God for a few Banjar who have decided to follow Jesus.
Pray that Banjar followers of Jesus would boldly share the Good News with their family and friends in the Banjar language.
Pray that other followers of Jesus in this area would develop an increasing burden to reach out to the Banjar in their mother tongue.
Pray that followers of Jesus would find ways to serve the Banjar people, demonstrating God’s love in practical ways.