Tongans all over the Kingdom are observing the annual Uike Lotu or Prayer Week as the new year begins.
Christian churches are holding services throughout the week and are calling on their members to use the week in giving themselves back to God’s service.
The week is an important one for Tonga, which is one of the most religious countries in the world.
Churches who normally run programmes during the week includes the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, the different denominations of the Church of Tonga, the Catholic Church of Tonga and the Anglican Church of Tonga.
Most of the churches hold services in the mornings and the evenings daily.