4/8/2022　Indonesia　(ICC) On April 6, an Indonesian Christian YouTuber was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a YouTube video that allegedly offended Muslims across Indonesia. Muhammad Kace, 56, is a former Muslim cleric who converted to Christianity in 2014. After his conversion, he began uploading videos to YouTube criticizing his former faith. He was arrested last August. Thousands of Muslims surrounded the court in support of the harsher prosecution of Kace. During his detention, Kace was treated in an inhumane way; he was allegedly beaten and tortured. Kace’s lawyer, said the sentence was harsh and that his client would appeal the sentence. A Christian-turned-Muslim cleric who was arrested last August for insulting Christianity, was sentenced to just five months in prison in comparison. The inconsistent standard embedded in Indonesia’s legal system is self-evident. Please pray… Pray that the Lord will sustain Muhammad Kace at this difficult time and keep him safe in prison. Pray that he will have opportunities to be a witness for Jesus in prison. Pray that the Lord will guide his lawyer in filing for an appeal and that the judge will reduce the sentence to be more in line with the sentence given to the former Christian […]

5/14/18 Indonesia (ICC) On May 13, bombings at three churches in Surabaya, East Java, killed 13 and wounded more than 40 shortly before Sunday services. The explosions took place at a Catholic church and two Protestant churches. Two other bombs failed to explode at two other churches. One pastor told ICC, “We will not be intimidated by the bombing. We still love them and forgive them.” The suicide bombings were carried out by a family of six – a father, mother, two sons (18 and 16), and two daughters (12 and 9) – belonging to a group linked to the Islamic State. The bomb attacks are the deadliest in Indonesia since the 2002 Bali bombings, which left more than 200 people dead and hundreds more injured. Please pray… Pray for God’s comfort and peace to overcome all fear in the hearts of Indonesia’s Christians at this time. Pray for the churches to continue to unite in prayer and live for Jesus. Pray for the government to take swift action to prevent similar attacks from occurring.

11/02/2017  Indonesia   (VOM) A house church in East Java, Indonesia, is being pressured by local authorities and the Islamic group Wahidiyah to stop meeting in a pastor’s home. Although neighbors did not initially object to the house church, some have begun to complain since authorities and the Islamic group publicly criticized the pastor for meeting without a religious permit. The group of about 30 Christians is now meeting in another believer’s home to avoid conflict, and the pastor is scheduled to meet with village administrators and sign a letter agreeing to stop meeting in his home. Please pray… Pray for the pastor as he interacts with area Islamic and government leaders. Pray that the house church members will stand firm in their faith and share God’s love with others in their community. Pray that they will be able to continue meeting in believers’ homes.

7/25/17  Indonesia  (Asian Correspondent) An Indonesian bill titled the “Religious Rights Protection Bill” is set to go to parliament by the end of this year. While the word “protection” is in the title of the bill, it actually “covers seven different types of blasphemy and punishments from six months to five years in prison.” This bill, if passed, would effectively restrain religious rights, rather than protect them. Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world. The enacting of the law would curtail the rights of religious minorities in the country. Please pray… Pray for that this bill will not become law. Pray that many Muslims in this nation would come to salvation through Christ. Pray for Christians to be effective witnesses to their Muslim neighbors.

7/11/17 Indonesia (UCA News) A recent survey has shown that 50% of students in Indonesia support radical Islamic ideas. Catholic educators have drawn up guidelines to be used in Catholic schools to combat growing radicalism in the classroom. They also hope these guidelines will be used in all schools as they plan to present it to the government as well. Please pray… Pray that the implementation of these guidelines will help love overcome hate. Pray for students in Indonesia as they receive different teachings, that they will eventually choose the right way of thinking. Pray that the government would be open to implementing these guidelines in all schools.

1/18/2017 Indonesia (UCA News) The current governor of Jakarta Indonesia, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or Ahok as he is more commonly known, was recently accused of blasphemy (against the Quran) and in now on trial. Since then, he has become less popular in the polls, but a Muslim leader is calling on Catholics to make sure they get out and vote. He has seen Ahok make positive changes within communities and put up a fight against the corruption commonly seen in government. This Muslim leader is encouraging the people to vote for a “brave” candidate who can continue to bring positive change. Let’s pray… Pray for the upcoming elections taking place on February 15th, that the people will make a wise choice in electing leaders. Pray for Ahok as he goes through this “blasphemy” trial, that he can be a positive testimony of Christ’s love and truth. Pray for the government of Indonesia as it gains new leaders; pray that they would appropriately govern their people with wisdom and justice.

12/15/2016 Indonesia (UCS News) The Aceh province of Indonesia is one of the least-friendly areas towards Christians where Christians (and even Muslims) often suffer persecution under Islamic laws. On December 7th, an earthquake hit this region — many were killed and injured, and a few thousand lost their homes. The director of a human rights organization says that Christians have mobilized to send aid to those in need, but there is still need to be careful.  Let’s pray… Pray for those directly affected by the earthquake, who need help rebuilding their lives. Pray that aid and necessary materials would be received well by those in Aceh. Pray for a loving spirit to be with those who continue to give aid to anyone who needs it, whether or not they are from the same faith.

12/13/2016  Indonesia  (Reuters) Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is the governor of Jakarta and a Chinese Christian who has been accused of blasphemy against the Quran. During his blasphemy trial, he explained that comments he made were directed at politicians who were politicizing Purnama’s own religion. His comments were not intended to reinterpret the Quran; rather they were meant to respond to his opponents’ unfair political and religious tactics. Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world. Let’s pray… Pray for Purnama as his case goes to trial. Pray for the protestors’ hearts to be softened and changed towards Purnama and the Gospel message. Pray for those who have the power to sentence Purnama, that they would uphold justice rather than forms of religious intolerances. Pray that Purnama will be filled with the Holy Spirit as he speaks during the trial, which will be televised, and that the truth of the Gospel will be broadcast all over Indonesia.