Did you know that every year in March the island of Bali has a day of silence? Hari Raya Nyepi is a Balinese holiday that occurs on the New Year of the Bali Hindu calendar. For one day a year, activity is restricted or stopped throughout the entire island. Lights are turned off or dimmed, the airport closes, the ferry stops, and no one is allowed to be on the beaches or streets, even tourists. Usually tourists are allowed to move throughout their hotel but not allowed to leave the property. Many Balinese fast or take the day for self-reflection. 

A few days before Nyepi, rituals called Melasti take place at temples across the island. These rituals typically occur at or near the beach and cleanse certain objects that are spiritually significant for the temple. The month before Nyepi starts, each area works diligently to create giant statues, often of demons, called Ogoh-Ogoh and parade them through the streets. The statues are later burned as a way to cleanse the island of evil spirits. The day after Nyepi, the Balinese people visit family and friends and ask for forgiveness for any sins from the prior year. 

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15

Ways to pray for the Balinese people:

• Pray that the Balinese would realize their need for a Savior to forgive sins and that rituals can never remove sins
• That they would experience the power of Jesus Christ over evil spirits
• Pray that Balinese Christians would have opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with their communities