| 1 This month we will focus on the Bajau Kagayan people of the Philippines. Pray that Bajau Kagayan people will join the group of people who will one day worship together around God’s throne in heaven (Revelation 7:9). |
2 About 48,000 Bajau Kagayan people live in the Philippines. Pray that Christians will reach out to the Bajau Kagayan people and will share Christ’s love and the message of salvation. |
| 3 There are over 17,000 Philippine islands. The Bajau Kagayan live on Cagayan de Sulu Island, the Turle Islands, and the Southern Palawan Islands. Pray that the people of these islands will give glory to the Lord and will proclaim His praise (Isaiah 42:12). |
4 Historically, the Bajau Kagayan people have lived and worked on or near the water, but the number of boat dwellers has decreased. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan will recognize God’s love and provision for them (Philippians 4:19). |
| 5 Fishing, the main source of food and income for the Bajau Kagayan people, involves the entire family. The men work on the boat; the women and children work on the shore. Pray that Bajau Kagayan families will come to know Jesus as their Savior. |
6/7 Where else do the Bajau Kagayan people live? There are 53,000 Bajau Kagayan across Southeast Asia. The largest group lives in the Philippines; the rest are scattered throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, and the southernmost part of Myanmar. Pray that Christians in these countries will befriend Bajau Kagayan people and will share the gospel message with them. |
| 8 In addition to fishing, some Bajau Kagayan men work as blacksmiths, boat builders, merchants, or farm workers. Women make pottery or weavings to sell. Pray that Bajau Kagayan people will learn that Jesus did all the work to save them from their sins. |
9 No one knows for certain where the Bajau Kagayan people came from. They might have come from Sumatra or from islands in the South Pacific. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will believe in Jesus as their Savior and have an eternal home in heaven. |
| 10 The Bajau Kagayan people travel the seas in order to acquire and sell a type of sea cucumber called the trepang, which is used in soups and medicines. Pray that Bajau Kagayan people will acquire the truth about Jesus and eternal life. |
11 The Bajau Kagayan people are related to various Sama peoples of the Philippines and Malaysia. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan and other Sama peoples will want to be part of God’s family by calling on the name of the Lord to be saved (Romans 10:13). |
| 12 The Bajau Kagayan people speak the Mapun Sama language. Many also speak Tausug. Pray that language won’t be a barrier to keep Christians from telling the Bajau Kagayan people that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins. |
13/14 What keeps the Bajau Kagayan unreached? The Bajau Kagayan are Sunni Muslims, but many of these seafaring people also follow ancient religious practices. Many worship the god of the sea, Omboh Dilaut. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will worship God, the Creator of the sea and everything else. |
15 The Bajau Kagayan people who live at sea can visit a mosque only once in a while, when they go to shore. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will learn about Jesus and will choose to worship
Him as Lord (Romans 10:9). |
16 Because the Bajau Kagayan people have been nomadic throughout their history, traveling from place to place by boat, they have been given the nickname sea gypsies. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will desire to be called Christians. |
| 17 It is not easy to live at sea. The Bajau Kagayan people face storms and pirates. The Bajau Kagayan people don’t fight pirates; instead they choose to flee. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will turn to God for protection. |
18 The Bajau Kagayan people who live at sea come to dry land when they need to bury their dead or to make a new boat. Pray that when the Bajau people come to land they will meet Christians and hear the gospel. |
| 19 Some Bajau Kagayan people use a special handmade boat called a lipalipa. These boats are decorated and raced in festivals. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will realize that they are special to God and dearly loved by Him. |
20/21 What has been done to reach the Bajau Kagayan people? Portions of the Bible have been translated into their languages, and the New Testament is near completion. The Jesus film has been translated into Tausug and several Sama languages. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will have access to printed and audio Scriptures. |
| 22 Many cultures preserve their heritage through storytelling, but the Bajau Kagayan have lost some of their stories. Pray that Bajau Kagayan people will learn and then pass along to the next generation the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. |
23 The Bajau Kagayan people follow Islamic holy days and participate in Ramadan. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will choose to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and accept His forgiveness
of their sins. |
| 24 The Bajau Kagayan people participate in an Islamic ceremony called tulak bala, a ritual bathing to wash away evil. Pray that Bajau Kagayan people will turn to Jesus to take away their sin. |
25 Many Bajau Kagayan people are unaware of the impact that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection can have on their lives. Pray that today many Bajau Kagayan people will give Jesus the best birthday present—their hearts and lives! |
| 26 If the Bajau Kagayan people become sick, they may send a “spirit boat” out to sea. They hope that doing this will remove the spirits causing the illness. Pray that Bajau Kagayan people will put their faith in Jesus and will be healed (James 5:16). |
27/28 What can you do to help the Bajau Kagayan people become reached? Pray! You can pray that the Christians who come in contact with the Bajau Kagayan people will have a strong witness and many opportunities to share the good news. Also pray that funds needed to reach the Bajau Kagayan people will be provided and that people will go! |
| 29 The Bajau Kagayan believe they are descendants of royalty, so they wear bright and colorful clothes. Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will become Christ’s followers and realize that He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15). |
30 Bajau Kagayan brides dress very brightly and colorfully. Marriages are usually arranged by the families of the bride and groom. Pray that Bajau Kagayan married couples will place their trust in
Jesus Christ. |
| 31 The husband-to-be pays his future wife’s family a dowry. The payment usually consists of water buffalo instead of money! Pray that the Bajau Kagayan people will learn that Jesus paid the price for their sins and that forgiveness is free. |
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