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Islamic Extremists in Indonesia Targeting Youth, Women
Indonesia (Morning Star News) – The head of Indonesia’s counter-terrorism agency said officials are [focusing] on protecting teenaged children and women from Islamic radicalization as they have become the most targeted groups.
Citing a report by the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace, Rycko Amelza Dahniel of the National Counter-terrorism Agency (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Terorisme, or BNPT) on Feb. 20 said that from 2016 to 2023, the percentage of high school students in five cities who moved from “passive intolerant” to “active intolerant” doubled, from 2.4 percent to 5 percent.
While those categorized as “intolerant” intensified from passive to active, tolerance among teens overall increased during the period, with those in the “tolerant” category moving from 61.6 percent to 70.2 percent, he said, citing The Setara Institute’s survey, “The Tolerance of Senior High School Students,” of May 2023.
Along with the increase among teenagers from passive intolerant to active intolerant, “those who are active become exposed to radicalization,” Rycko said at the BNPT 2024 National Working Meeting in Jakarta on Feb. 20. High school students exposed to radicalization groups increased from 0.3 percent to 0.6 percent, he said.
As active intolerance increased, the proportion of “passive intolerant” high school students shrank from 35.7 percent o 22.4 percent over the period, he said.
“In the results of research conducted from 2016 to 2023, although the increase in migration is only single digit, this vulnerable group is the nation’s next generation,” said the three-star police general.
Rycko said the Indonesia Knowledge Hub (I-Khub) BNPT Outlook 2023 showed that women, children and teenagers were the groups most targeted for radicalization, both offline and online.
As a result, women, children and teenagers are the focus of the counter-terrorism agency for both protection against radicalism and the threat of terrorist acts, he said.
Bonar Tigor Naipospos, deputy chairman of Setara Institute, told Morning Star News that, “In the eyes of the Islamists, young people and women are not only beneficial for the future but also demographically the largest age group.”
Muslim extremists indoctrinate them with the idea that Islam is a persecuted religion, he said.
“The issue they usually raise is Islam as an isolated and oppressed religion even though Islam is the solution for all life,” Bonar said. “For them, non-Islamic parties always have an interest in weakening Islam; if Islam does not rule and Islamic law is enforced, Muslims will forever be backward.”
Growing radicalism among youth mainly takes the form of intolerance, rather than violence, he said.
“For example, exclusivity only among themselves – they cannot mix with people of different religions,” Bonar said. “[They] do not accept class presidents or student council presidents of different religions, etc.”
Some evidence of such influence occurred in October 2020 at a high school in the capital, SMAN 58 Jakarta, where a Muslim teacher in East Jakarta allegedly sent a text message discouraging students from voting for non-Muslim candidates for chairmanship of the Student Executive Organization.
The message from the teacher, reportedly a religious studies and civic education teacher identified only as TS, went virtal on social media, according to The Jakarta Post.
“Be careful not to vote for non-Muslim OSIS chair candidates number 1 and 2,” the message read. “No matter what, we are the majority. We need a leader who shares our beliefs.”
The head of the DKI Jakarta Education Department, identified only as Nahdiana, said the teacher has been moved to another school.
A Jakarta city council member discovered the incident. Council Member Ima Mahdiah told media outlet IDN Time that she received a recording of a conversation in which a teacher said non-Muslim candidates for student council president should not advance despite having passed several selection steps.
Addressing school faculty’s concerns that two of five students selected as candidates for president were non-Muslims, Ima stated that attaining the position should be based on personal abilities and capabilities, not religion.
“These teachers stated that this was done because they were afraid that if the elected OSIS president was not a Muslim student, they would be inclined to create an OSIS program that was not pro-Islamic,” Ima reportedly said.
Indonesia ranked 42nd on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
VOP Note: News to watch.
Photo: Indonesian youth in Pallawa village, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. (Rezki Sugiharto Nurdin, Creative Commons)
Persecution Watch: Pray for Indonesia
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Thursday, February 22, 2024, in a prayer conference call for America hosted by Persecution Watch.
INDONESIA: Population: 278 million, Christians: 34 million
In real numbers, the Christian population in that country has grown by nearly 5 million people over the past decade, roughly a 21% increase.
Indonesia is the world’s fourth-most populous country, and the most populous Muslim-majority country. It has hundreds of linguistic groups, and ranges from the Jakarta megacity to uncontacted tribes in Papua. About 8 million Indonesians live overseas – everywhere from Saudi Arabia to the US. The government officially recognizes only six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
In recent years the Indonesian society has taken on a more conservative Islamic character, putting added pressure on Christians. Many converts from Islam experience pressure from family to return to Islam. There are also converts from Hinduism.
Violence is rising. The primary hotbed of persecution in Indonesia is in Aceh, the only province that is governed by Shariah law. Churches were closed on a large scale in October 2015, and building new churches in Aceh is virtually impossible.
Prayer Points:
- Pray for the government will respect and protect the Christian minority.
- Pray for God’s comfort and healing for all those affected by the recent attacks on Christians.
- Pray that Christians will be given wisdom and boldness as they follow Jesus in a society that is taking on an increasingly Islamic fundamentalist.
- Pray to the Lord that He will reveal Himself to those who oppose Him in a way that speaks to their hearts.
- Pray to the Lord that He will break the stronghold of the forces of darkness in the Aceh province, the only one with Sharia law.
- Pray for Christians to build peaceful relations with local religious leaders and government officials.
- Pray to the Lord that He will open doors for permits to be granted for church construction.
- Pray that Christians have good internet coverage where they live and that the messages will edify them, as well as touch unbelievers who serve the net.
- Pray for the NGOs and their partners. Pray for wisdom and strength for their ministry partners, who help when Christians suffer physical attacks and expulsion from their families and communities for choosing to follow Christ. This through advocacy, relief, and practical aid, along with bible deliveries and biblical training.
- Pray for church leaders to be protected in their communities from false accusations of inciting religious hatred.
- Pray that the Lord will give believers boldness and courage to witness and to hold His hand of protection over them.
- Pray that persecuted believers will not become bitter, but be able to love and forgive.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” – Pray for followers of Jesus to overcome all obstacles in meeting.
- Pray for unreached people groups (UPGs) – Out of the 789 people groups in Indonesia, 235 are still unreached. Pray for God to send believers to these unreached people groups to share the gospel. Pray His glory would spread to every people group.
- Ephesians 6:18-19 – “To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” – pray fervently for our Indonesian brothers and sisters to stand firm in their faith.
- In 1998, general Prabowo was discharged from the army for ordering the kidnappings of student activists. Last week he claimed victory in Indonesia’s presidential election of Feb 14 -Pray for the government to protect citizens, rather than terrorize peaceful people.
Again, we want to lift-up these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018. Pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison, for his family and for the church.
- Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, as he and his family are adjusting from his release from prison, that they may know what God’s will is for them now. Pray for the trauma they had to endure. UPDATE: According to Article 18, once sentenced to death for his “apostasy” has been “pardoned” and released after nearly five years in Tehran’s Evin Prison but told Nadarkhani that he still faces flogging (30 lashes) and two years’ exile 2,000km from his home. Read the report here.
- Armenian Genocide Happening Again. Read full report here: Genocide and Forced Deportation: Nagorno-Karabakh
- The Harvest: “37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38
Michael Laird, Persecution Watch Prayer Conference Call Moderator
Prayer Conference Call Details
7 nights a week on your phone
USA Time Zone:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: (667) 770-1476
Access Code: 281207#
MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier. Google Play link or App Store – iTunes
If you are experiencing any difficulties joining the call, please let us know.
What is Persecution Watch?
Persecution Watch is a U.S. national prayer conference call ministry that prays specifically for the global Persecuted Church. For over a decade, Blaine Scogin led this national network of believers who faithfully pray for the persecuted and the global harvest for the Kingdom of God. The group meets via a free call-in service every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at 9pm Eastern time in the United States (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted, and the two missions became one. Brother Blaine passed into glory on December 26, 2019. It was truly a blessing for all of us to serve alongside this dear man of God and he will be greatly missed. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch remains an important part of our mission. Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with the dedicated Persecution Watch prayer warrior team.
Prior to the passing of Brother Blaine, he confirmed the passing of the torch as prayer conference call leader to Nadia Dybvik. Nadia has a burdened heart for the persecuted and is a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them. She joined the Persecution Watch prayer team in 2015 and has been part of the core ever since. Before becoming the prayer call leader, she served in the role of prayer moderator since 2016. Blaine chose Nadia for her faithfulness to pray for the persecuted and her strong commitment to the Persecution Watch mission. We are blessed not only with her gift of prayer, but her genuine love for every brother and sister in Christ that comes on the call to pray. May the Lord continue to bless Nadia and the prayer team in the mission and their personal lives.
“Pray for us” is the number one request that we hear from the persecuted. As the members of the first century Church was moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters are invited to the conference call and share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.
Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.
We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in, and pray silently or mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!
God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.
Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader, and the Persecution Watch Prayer Call Moderator Team
NOTE: Please fill out the form in the sign up at link below to be added in our distribution list to receive urgent prayer requests, prayer points, notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.
Persecution Watch: Praying for Believers in Indonesia
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Thursday, September 28, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
INDONESIA: Population: 274,854,000 billion, Christians: 34.2 million
There are 34.2 million Christians in Indonesia – a large number, but only about 12% of the country’s population. There are more Muslims in Indonesia than any other country in the world.
Indonesia has taken on a more conservative Islamic character in recent years, which can put pressure on Christians, especially those from Muslim backgrounds. Indonesians brought up as Muslims who become Christian believers will likely face disapproval, intense pressure to return to Islam, verbal abuse and possibly social isolation. In some cases, families will withdraw all support, and married women may keep their new faith secret to avoid the threat of their husbands divorcing them. Some women are faced with lots of psychological abuse, including death threats, for practicing Christianity.
In some provinces like Aceh, women are required to wear Islamic dress (a hijab), and Christian women not complying with this may face bullying, interrogation and labelling as ‘immoral women’. Thanks to effective anti-terror police, physical violence towards Christians by Islamic extremists is not common, but many new Christians in Indonesia will seek to leave their home community and relocate somewhere else to get away from the harassment.
If a church is seen to be preaching and spreading the gospel, they soon run into opposition from Islamic extremist groups, especially in rural areas. In some regions of Indonesia, non-traditional churches struggle to get permission for church buildings, with the authorities often ignoring their paperwork.
While the threat of violent attacks by Islamic extremists seems to have curbed, except for ‘lone wolf’ attacks, violence against Christians still takes place – including some faith-based murders.
Despite religious rights granted by the constitution, there has been a growing trend of Christian discrimination, taking various forms including hate speech and violence. One particularly relevant example of this discrimination recently has been the denial of building permits for houses of worship. Increasingly, the 2006 Joint Regulation on Houses of Worship Regulation is being used to prevent churches from being built. In November, International Christian Concern reported that at least twenty-three churches have been closed in the past three years, according to the National Commission on Human Rights.
Moreover, the government has continued to prosecute blasphemy allegations and impose severe prison sentences. While proselytization is not illegal, it is exceedingly difficult. According to Open Doors, churches most frequently targeted are those that evangelize; Christian converts from Islam face the most severe persecution from their families and communities.
Citizens are required to indicate their religious affiliation on their government ID cards. As a result, some misrepresent their religion because it impacts their access to government jobs, education, licenses, and permits.
- Pray to the Lord that He will touch Joko Widodo, who is both head of state and government in a special way to defend Christian liberties.
- Pray to the Lord for local government leaders and judges to defend Christians who have been falsely accused of violating the Muslim faith.
- Pray to the Lord that He will annihilate the influence of the extremist Islamic groups.
- Pray to the Lord that he will reveal himself to those who oppose Him in ways that speak to their hearts.
- Pray to the Lord for those Christians experiencing rejection, discrimination, or isolation for their faith, know the depths of His comfort.
- Pray to the Lord that Muslim family members would increasingly keep their hearts and minds open when one of their own comes to know You Lord Jesus Christ.
- Pray to the Lord for permits to be granted to reopen Churches as well as permits to build new churches, that the powers of darkness will not prevail in withholding permits.
- Pray to the Lord for the protection of churches from Islamic extremists as they are sharing the gospel.
- Pray to the Lord for His comfort and healing for those Christians who have been hurt and affected by attacks.
- Pray to the Lord for church leaders who have high visibility in their communities and therefore are at risk for false accusations like inciting riots.
- Pray to the Lord for Bible distribution into the hostile and remote areas where Bibles are unavailable and Christians unable to afford and purchase a Bible.
- Pray to the Lord for NGOs to provide bibles and related religious material to the saints as well as physical help to the ones who are persecuted.
Again, we want to lift-up these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018. Pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison, for his family and for the church.
- Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, as he and his family are adjusting from his release from prison, that they may know what God’s will is for them now. Pray for the trauma they had to endure. UPDATE: According to Article 18, once sentenced to death for his “apostasy” has been “pardoned” and released after nearly five years in Tehran’s Evin Prison, but told Nadarkhani that he still faces flogging (30 lashes) and two years’ exile 2,000km from his home. Read the report here
- Ryan Kolher UPDATE (March 17, 2023):, a pilot for the U.S.-based ministry Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), and two of the ministry’s South African volunteers were released from a Mozambican prison Tuesday afternoon, the organization announced. The trio had been held at a high-security prison inside the southeastern African country for four months. Their release is a provisional one and they are required to remain in the country, while their case is still ongoing, according to MAF. Kolher is said to be “doing well” following his release and is with his wife, Annabel.
- The Harvest: “ 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38
Andy, Persecution Watch Prayer Conference Call Moderator
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
USA Time Zone:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: (667) 770-1476
Access Code: 281207#
MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier. Google Play link or App Store – iTunes
If you are experiencing any difficulties joining the call, please let us know.
What is Persecution Watch?
Persecution Watch is a U.S. national prayer conference call ministry that prays specifically for the global Persecuted Church. For over a decade, Blaine Scogin led this national network of believers who faithfully pray for the persecuted and the global harvest for the Kingdom of God. The group meets via a free call-in service every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at 9pm Eastern time in the United States (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted, and the missions’ became one. Brother Blaine passed into glory on December 26, 2019. It was truly a blessing for all of us to serve alongside this dear man of God and he will be greatly missed. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch remains an important part of our mission. Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with the dedicated Persecution Watch prayer warrior team.
Prior to the passing of Brother Blaine, he confirmed the passing of the torch as prayer conference call leader to Nadia Dybvik. Nadia has a burdened heart for the persecuted and is a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them. She joined the Persecution Watch prayer team in 2013 and has been part of the core ever since. Before becoming the prayer call leader, she served in the role of prayer moderator since 2015. Blaine chose Nadia for her faithfulness to pray for the persecuted and her strong commitment to the Persecution Watch mission. We are blessed not only with her gift of prayer, but her genuine love for every brother and sister in Christ that comes on the call to pray. May the Lord continue to bless Nadia and the prayer team in the mission and their personal lives.
“Pray for us” is the number one request that we hear from the persecuted. As the members of the first century Church was moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited to the conference call and share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.
Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.
We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in and pray silently or mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!
God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.
Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader, and the Persecution Watch Prayer Team
NOTE: Please fill out the form in the sign up at link below to be included in our distribution list to receive urgent prayer requests, prayer points, notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.
Day 5: Praying For Muslims during Ramadan – The Sunda
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
Dear Prayer Warriors, join us as we pray for the Sundra, tonight.
WHO ARE THE SUNDA?
Thirty-eight million Sundanese live in the western third of the island of Java, with three million more living in Lampung, Sumatra. The majority of Sunda still live in villages, where most work as tenant farmers.
Because the volcanic soil is some of the most fertile in the world, for centuries the Sunda have not had to work very hard to produce a crop, which other Indonesians argue has led to laziness.
Muslim traders traveling to Southeast Asia in the 15th century brought Islam along with their merchandise. Gradually the “old” animist religious practices of the region combined with the “new” Islam to create the Folk Islam practiced by the majority of Sunda today.
Muslim identity runs deep among this people group. Even though most only go to the mosque on high holidays, “to be Sunda is to be Muslim.” If one is no longer a Muslim, one is no longer a Sunda, and can therefore be kicked out of the local community.
Please watch this 4:42 minute video.
WHAT ARE THE SUNDA’S GREATEST STRUGGLES?
The Sundanese are being left out of economic advances in Indonesia, even though they are located mostly in Jakarta and Bandung, the fastest-growing regions of the country. Reasons for this include their poor work ethic, lack of value for education, lack of leadership abilities, and high divorce rate.
Factory managers will bring in whole villages of Javanese rather than hire local Sundanese. When they migrate to cities, the majority of Sunda tend to work in lower-level jobs. The ideal Sundanese job is a government worker: the work is not hard, it is guaranteed for life, and, in the right position, riches come quickly through corruption.
Although they look happy on the outside, Sundanese are dominated by fear and shame, often stemming from parents who did not demonstrate sacrificial love. Sadly, this dysfunction can sometimes carry over into relationships between pastors and Sundanese Christians.
Sundanese Muslims are attracted to the experience of authentic love, even if that love is from a Christian.
Tomorrow we will continue with Ramadan day 5. Join us as we pray for Muslims to fully know Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, and follow him.
WHAT IS GOD DOING AMONG THE SUNDA?
Christian resources are readily available, including the Scriptures, the Jesus Film, and Christian programming on the internet and local TV.
The Sundanese church (approximately 35,000) is growing slowly. Many are open to the gospel, but there is no large movement to Christ. Discipling believers is difficult. Leadership development is slow because of the negative cultural characteristics the Sunda bring with them, which impedes church growth. There is no focused outreach to the 3 million Sundanese diaspora in Lampung.
If a husband and wife come to faith together, they often hold firm; single individuals rarely do. New converts face intense psychological pressure to return to Islam, first from family and then from the larger community. While they are often kicked out of their local community, the Sunda do not tend to hold grudges. After time, believers can often return to their community, albeit as second-class citizens with no inheritance. There is little physical violence against believers.
PRAYER POINTS
- Pray for the light of Christ to expel the darkness of the Occult and its practices.
- Pray for multitudes of Indonesian believers to bring the Gospel to the Sunda.
- Pray for entire families to hear the Gospel and follow Jesus together.
The Lord’s servant,
Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Conference Call Leader
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
USA Time Zone:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: (667) 770-1476
Access Code: 281207#
Recommended: For those who may be subject to added charges for conference calls. Please download the app, it’s free!
MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all of your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier. Google Play link or App Store – iTunes
If you are experiencing any difficulties joining the call, please let us know.
What is Persecution Watch?
Persecution Watch is a U.S. national prayer conference call ministry that prays specifically for the global Persecuted Church. For over a decade, Blaine Scogin led this national network of believers who faithfully pray for the persecuted and the global harvest for the Kingdom of God. The group meets via a free call-in service every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at 9pm Eastern time in the United States (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted, and the missions became one. Brother Blaine passed into glory on December 26, 2019. It was truly a blessing for all of us to serve alongside this dear man of God and he will be greatly missed. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch remains an important part of our mission. Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with the dedicated Persecution Watch prayer warrior team.
Prior to the passing of Brother Blaine, he confirmed the passing of the torch as prayer conference call leader to Nadia Dybvik. Nadia has a burdened heart for the persecuted and is a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them. She joined the Persecution Watch prayer team in 2013 and has been part of the core ever since. Before becoming the prayer call leader, she served in the role of prayer moderator since 2015. Blaine chose Nadia for her faithfulness to pray for the persecuted and her strong commitment to the Persecution Watch mission. We are blessed not only with her gift of prayer, but her genuine love for every brother and sister in Christ that comes on the call to pray. May the Lord continue to bless Nadia and the prayer team in the mission and their personal lives.
“Pray for us” is the number one request that we hear from the persecuted. As the members of the first century Church were moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the conference call to share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.
Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.
We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in and pray silently or on mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!
God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.
Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader and the Persecution Watch Prayer Team
NOTE: Please fill out the form in the sign up link below to be included in our distribution list to receive urgent prayer requests, prayer points, notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.
Day 3: Praying for Muslims during Ramadan
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Friday, March 24, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
Dear Prayer Warrior’s, join us as we pray for Jakarta tonight.
WHAT IS JAKARTA LIKE?
The Special Capital Region of Jakarta is the heart of a massive urban conglomerate that includes more than 30 million people. After Tokyo, greater Jakarta is the second largest urban area in the world!
Jakarta proper, a port city on the north coast of the island of West Java, has a hot, humid, tropical climate. It was built on low-lying drained swampland and is sinking almost 7 inches per year. It suffers serious flooding from the 13 rivers flowing through it. Despite some large squares and gardens as well as some mass transit systems, the city is clogged with motorcycles, scooters, and cars, which cause unending traffic slowdowns and serious air pollution.
Jakarta’s economy is built on trade, financial and medical services, commerce, administration, industry, and (mostly domestic) tourism. There are more than 83 malls, and Jakarta has the most square footage of shopping space of any city in the world.
WHY IS JAKARTA SIGNIFICANT?
There has been settlement on the site of Jakarta since the early 5th century. Europeans arrived in 1513, and after the Dutch defeated the British, the Dutch named the city Batavia, and made it their Indonesian capital in 1619.
The Dutch East India Company developed powerful and prosperous trade and shipping businesses while the Netherlands controlled the country for more than 300 years. Following a brief period of Japanese control during WWII, the city was made the capital of newly independent Indonesia and renamed Jakarta (“victorious city”) in 1949. As the capital region, Jakarta exercises wide influence within the country and around Southeast Asia.
The city is very diverse. The five largest ethnic groups are the Javanese (36%), Betawi (28%; local Jakarta people), Sundanese (15%), Chinese (7%), and Batak (3.5%). Indonesian is the official and dominant language, with English the second most widely spoken. Most people use their own ethnic language at home.
Though Islam dominates the religious scene in Jakarta (83.5%), there are other large religious communities: Protestantism (8.5%), Catholicism (4%), and Buddhism (3.8%).
WHAT IS GOD DOING IN JAKARTA TODAY?
Indonesian Muslims often pride themselves on their tolerance of religious diversity. However there have been increasing numbers of attacks on churches throughout Indonesia, including in Jakarta.
In a widely publicized 2017 case, Ahok, the Chinese Christian governor of Jakarta, was convicted of blasphemy by the supreme court for publicly quoting the Quran and was sentenced to two years in prison. The influence of Islamists is clearly growing in the city and country.
Nevertheless, about 13% of Jakarta is Christian! Christians have freedom to worship, and they are usually able to openly practice their faith within certain places and with limited parameters. Of the twelve largest congregations in Indonesia, about half are in Greater Jakarta.
Reports of many rapidly growing movements to Christ among Muslims in Indonesia has the government concerned.
But the extent of these movements in urban areas such as Jakarta is unclear. This is a time of growing harvest – and of growing persecution of converts to Christ.
Please watch the short video 4:26 minutes
PRAYER POINTS
- Pray for access to the Gospel in the many unreached people groups represented in the city.
- Pray for the Indonesian Church to overflow with a passion to reach Muslims.
- Pray for spiritual revival in Jakarta that transforms this nation with the world’s largest Muslim population.
Tomorrow we will continue with Ramadan day 4. Join us as we pray for Muslims to fully know Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, and follow him.
The Lord’s servant,
Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Conference Call Leader
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
USA Time Zone:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: (667) 770-1476
Access Code: 281207#
Recommended: For those who may be subject to added charges for conference calls. Please download the app, it’s free!
MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all of your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier. Google Play link or App Store – iTunes
If you are experiencing any difficulties joining the call, please let us know.
What is Persecution Watch?
Persecution Watch is a U.S. national prayer conference call ministry that prays specifically for the global Persecuted Church. For over a decade, Blaine Scogin led this national network of believers who faithfully pray for the persecuted and the global harvest for the Kingdom of God. The group meets via a free call-in service every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at 9pm Eastern time in the United States (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted, and the missions became one. Brother Blaine passed into glory on December 26, 2019. It was truly a blessing for all of us to serve alongside this dear man of God and he will be greatly missed. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch remains an important part of our mission. Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with the dedicated Persecution Watch prayer warrior team.
Prior to the passing of Brother Blaine, he confirmed the passing of the torch as prayer conference call leader to Nadia Dybvik. Nadia has a burdened heart for the persecuted and is a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them. She joined the Persecution Watch prayer team in 2013 and has been part of the core ever since. Before becoming the prayer call leader, she served in the role of prayer moderator since 2015. Blaine chose Nadia for her faithfulness to pray for the persecuted and her strong commitment to the Persecution Watch mission. We are blessed not only with her gift of prayer, but her genuine love for every brother and sister in Christ that comes on the call to pray. May the Lord continue to bless Nadia and the prayer team in the mission and their personal lives.
“Pray for us” is the number one request that we hear from the persecuted. As the members of the first century Church were moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the conference call to share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.
Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.
We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in and pray silently or on mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!
God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.
Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader and the Persecution Watch Prayer Team
NOTE: Please fill out the form in the sign up link below to be included in our distribution list to receive urgent prayer requests, prayer points, notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.
Day 2: Praying for Muslims during Ramadan
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Wednesday, March 23, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
Over the next month, we will take a journey together around the globe, visiting the five nations with the largest Muslim populations, learning about various aspects of Islam as we go. We will end with visiting the Muslims in the western world.
Indonesia: The world’s largest Muslim population lives here — more than 230 million!
A secular and democratic country, religion is very important. Made obvious by their 740,000 mosques.
Islam spread peacefully here unlike in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. But now discrimination and persecution against religious minorities are on the rise. And much of it is from Muslim extremists!
They don’t understand the ULTIMATE AND LASTING PEACE that only Jesus offers.
Let’s start our prayer journey with praying for these approx. 230 million Indonesian Muslims.
QUICK FACTS
Continent: Asia, Capital City: Jakarta, Government: Presidential republic, Population: 275,122,131
Major People Groups: 32% Javanese (Orang Jawa); 17% Sundanese (Urang Sunda); 7% Madurese; 2% Minangkabau (Padang); 2% Malay (Coast Malay)
Religion: Muslim 80%, Christian 13%, Ethnic religions 2%, Hindu 2%, New religions 1%, Agnostic 1%, Chinese folk-religions 1%, Buddhist 1%
Language: Javanese, Indonesian, Sunda, Madura, Malay
GDP Per Capita: $11,400, Literacy Rate: 96%
POPULATION IN UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS: 62.5%
SUMMARY
Tens of thousands of tropical coastline miles hem in the world’s largest archipelagic state of Indonesia. With over 17,000 islands separating the Indian Ocean from the Pacific, Indonesia and its people are as numerous as the islands themselves, and it stands as the fourth most populous country in the world. Unity proves to be a constant challenge as over 722 languages are spoken, and people are scattered across 6,000 islands varying in composition from rural fishing villages to highly metropolitan mega cities. The 2004 undersea earthquake and tsunami, which left over 220,000 either dead or missing and displaced millions more, established a tragic sense of unity, yet challenges remain.
From the early 16th century until the mid-1940’s, Indonesia found itself at the center of colonization and imperialism. The Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Japanese all took turns as uninvited rulers of Indonesian lands, but the nation gained independence by 1945. A 1965 communist coup brought General Suharto into power, and while the economy flourished for periods of his thirty-year reign, Suharto was an oppressive dictator who led with little regard for his people. Riots and a collapsing economy ended Suharto’s rule in 1997 and ushered in a time of reconstruction. In 1999, the first free and fair legislative elections were held, and the economy has subsequently begun its climb upwards.
Persecution is a reality for many believers in Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation in the world. While only 15% of the population claim to follow Christ, the church in Indonesia is experiencing profound unity as a result of persecution, and mission organizations are growing in number, reaching many through evangelistic endeavors. Indonesian believers also face a unique challenge as many of their neighbors are in geographical transition due to large-scale resettlement projects, migration, and forced relocation due to natural disasters. However, the emergence of Indonesian as the national language has allowed the Gospel to be communicated across ethnic and geographic borders as never before.
Please watch this 4-minute video.
PRAYER POINTS
• Pray for Christians to boldly demonstrate and proclaim the grace and salvation of Jesus Christ.
• Pray for peace and protection for believers amid growing Islamic momentum and expansion.
• Pray for entire families to put their faith in Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow we will continue with Ramadan Day 3. Join us as we pray for Muslims to fully know Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, and follow him.
Again, we want to lift-up these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
Again, we want to lift-up these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
- Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018. Pray for her release.
- Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
- Pray for Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison.
- For Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, as he and his family are adjusting from his release from prison, that they may know what God’s will is for them now. Pray for the trauma they had to endure.
- UPDATE (March 17, 2023): Ryan Koher, a pilot for the U.S.-based ministry Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), and two of the ministry’s South African volunteers were released from a Mozambican prison Tuesday afternoon, the organization announced. The trio had been held at a high-security prison inside the southeastern African country for four months. Their release is a provisional one and they are required to remain in the country, while their case is still ongoing, according to MAF. Koher is said to be “doing well” following his release and has spoken multiple times with his wife, Annabel, and his two sons since his release, the ministry said. Source
The Harvest
- 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38
Michael Laird, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Moderator.
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
USA Time Zone:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: (667) 770-1476
Access Code: 281207#
Recommended: For those who may be subject to added charges for conference calls. Please download the app, it’s free!
MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all of your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier. Google Play link or App Store – iTunes
If you are experiencing any difficulties joining the call, please let us know.
What is Persecution Watch?
Persecution Watch is a U.S. national prayer conference call ministry that prays specifically for the global Persecuted Church. For over a decade, Blaine Scogin led this national network of believers who faithfully pray for the persecuted and the global harvest for the Kingdom of God. The group meets via a free call-in service every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at 9pm Eastern time in the United States (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted, and the missions became one. Brother Blaine passed into glory on December 26, 2019. It was truly a blessing for all of us to serve alongside this dear man of God and he will be greatly missed. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch remains an important part of our mission. Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with the dedicated Persecution Watch prayer warrior team.
Prior to the passing of Brother Blaine, he confirmed the passing of the torch as prayer conference call leader to Nadia Dybvik. Nadia has a burdened heart for the persecuted and is a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them. She joined the Persecution Watch prayer team in 2013 and has been part of the core ever since. Before becoming the prayer call leader, she served in the role of prayer moderator since 2015. Blaine chose Nadia for her faithfulness to pray for the persecuted and her strong commitment to the Persecution Watch mission. We are blessed not only with her gift of prayer, but her genuine love for every brother and sister in Christ that comes on the call to pray. May the Lord continue to bless Nadia and the prayer team in the mission and their personal lives.
“Pray for us” is the number one request that we hear from the persecuted. As the members of the first century Church were moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the conference call to share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.
Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.
We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in and pray silently or on mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!
God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.
Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader and the Persecution Watch Prayer Team
NOTE: Please fill out the form in the sign up link below to be included in our distribution list to receive urgent prayer requests, prayer points, notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.
Praying for Believers in DR Congo and Indonesia
You are invited to join us on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
Dear Prayer Warriors, what a promise we have been given in John 3:16!
“ 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world
Tonight we will pray for:
Blast at Baptism Service in DR Congo Kills 16 Christians. Islamic State affiliate suspected in bombing of church. January 22, 2023
https://morningstarnews.org/2023/01/blast-at-baptism-service-in-dr-congo-kills-16-christians/
Christian Worship Service Prohibited in Indonesia. Church blocked from renting one venue is banned from new site. January 19, 2023
https://morningstarnews.org/2023/01/christian-worship-service-prohibited-in-indonesia/
We are continuing to lift up these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
Alice Loksha Ngaddah was kidnapped in February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
Leah Sharibu prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018. Pray for her release.
Pastor Wang Yi to be released from Chinese prison.
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani For the release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence, recently reduced from ten years.
Anita to make an easy transition into her new culture and that the Lord will be gracious in bringing her family members where they too will be able to freely worship our Lord without fear.
The Lord’s servant,
Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Conference Call Leader
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
USA Time Zone:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: (667) 770-1476
Access Code: 281207#
Recommended: For those who may be subject to added charges for conference calls. Please download the app, it’s free!
MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all of your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier. Google Play link or App Store – iTunes
If you are experiencing any difficulties joining the call, please let us know.
What is Persecution Watch?
Persecution Watch is a U.S. national prayer conference call ministry that prays specifically for the global Persecuted Church. For over a decade, Blaine Scogin led this national network of believers who faithfully pray for the persecuted and the global harvest for the Kingdom of God. The group meets via a free call-in service every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at 9pm Eastern time in the United States (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted, and the missions became one. Brother Blaine passed into glory on December 26, 2019. It was truly a blessing for all of us to serve alongside this dear man of God and he will be greatly missed. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch remains an important part of our mission. Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with the dedicated Persecution Watch prayer warrior team.
Prior to the passing of Brother Blaine, he confirmed the passing of the torch as prayer conference call leader to Nadia Dybvik. Nadia has a burdened heart for the persecuted and is a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them. She joined the Persecution Watch prayer team in 2013 and has been part of the core ever since. Before becoming the prayer call leader, she served in the role of prayer moderator since 2015. Blaine chose Nadia for her faithfulness to pray for the persecuted and her strong commitment to the Persecution Watch mission. We are blessed not only with her gift of prayer, but her genuine love for every brother and sister in Christ that comes on the call to pray. May the Lord continue to bless Nadia and the prayer team in the mission and their personal lives.
“Pray for us” is the number one request that we hear from the persecuted. As the members of the first century Church were moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the conference call to share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.
Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.
We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in and pray silently or on mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!
God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.
Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader and the Persecution Watch Prayer Team
NOTE: Please fill out the form in the sign up link below to be included in our distribution list to receive urgent prayer requests, prayer points, notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.
Persecution Watch: Pray for Believers in Indonesia
(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Thursday, August 18, 2022, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.
Indonesian government: The politics of Indonesia takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Indonesia is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government.
INDONESIA: Population: 279,660,604 Christians: 33,620,000
The persecution of Christians in Indonesia has worsened in recent years. There were three attacks on Christians within a six-month period between 2020 and 2021, killing eight believers, while Indonesian society has taken on a more conservative Islamic character, putting added pressure on Christians. Many converts from Islam experience pressure from their families to return to Islam, although the intensity of the pressure varies according to the place and the individual’s family. Only a few converts face physical violence for their Christian faith. There are also converts from Hinduism in Bali.
Churches that engage in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups. There are certain hotspots, such as West Java or Aceh, where extremist groups are strong and exert a strong influence on society and politics. In some regions, church groups face difficulties getting permission to build churches. Even if they manage to fulfill all legal requirements (including winning court cases), the local authorities still often ignore them.
What has changed? Sadly, the persecution of Christians in Indonesia has worsened considerably, making it one of the biggest risers on the World Watch List, jumping 19 places from last year. While pressure has increased in the national and church spheres, the main cause of this rise is an increase in violence. The primary hotbed of persecution in Indonesia is Aceh in the northwestern tip of Sumatra, the only province that is governed by Shariah law. Churches were closed on a large scale in October 2015 and the building of new churches there is much more difficult than in other provinces. In fact, it is virtually impossible. Converts from Islam are vulnerable to severe opposition in many parts of Indonesia but converts in Aceh probably face the greatest pressure.
In real numbers, the Christian population in that country has grown by nearly 5 million people over the past decade, roughly a 21% increase.
Prayer Points
- Pray for President Joko Widodo that he and his government officials will respect and protect the Christian minority citizens.
- Pray for God’s comfort and healing for all those affected by the recent attacks on Christians, in which eight believers were killed.
- Pray that Christians will be given wisdom and boldness as they follow Jesus in a society that is taking on an increasingly conservative Islamic character.
- Pray the influence of extremist Islamic groups will be snuffed out; ask the Lord to reveal Himself to those who oppose Him.
- Pray to the Lord that He will reveal Himself to those who oppose Him in a way that speaks to their hearts.
- Pray to the Lord that He will break the stronghold of the forces of darkness in the Aceh province, the only one with Sharia law.
- Pray for Christians to build peaceful relations with local religious leaders and government officials.
- Pray to the Lord that He will open doors for permits to be granted for church construction.
- Pray that Christians have good internet coverage where they live and that the messages will edify them as well as touch unbelievers who serve the net.
- Pray for the NGOs and their partners. Pray for wisdom and strength for their ministry partners, who help when Christians suffer physical attacks and expulsion from their families and communities for choosing to follow Christ. This through advocacy, relief, and practical aid, along with bible deliveries and biblical training.
- Pray for church leaders be protected in their communities from false accusations of inciting religious hatred.
- Pray that the Lord will give believers boldness and courage to witness and to hold His hand of protection over them.
- Pray that persecuted believers will not become bitter and be able to love and forgive.
- Pray to the Lord that He will have His hand on the Indonesian Church and that the number of believers will grow 100-fold.
We are continuing to lift up these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:
Leah Sharibu prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018. Pray for her release.
Alice Loksha Ngaddah was kidnapped in February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release.
Pastor Wang Yi to be released from Chinese prison.
Anita a Christian convert, facing a long prison term who escaped from Iran and praying to go to a country where she can express her faith openly.
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran for his release and his family as their persecution continues. Pastor Nadarkhani is serving the second year of his six-year sentence.
The Harvest
“I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18)
Andy, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Moderator
Prayer Conference Call Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
From any location on your phone
USA Time Zone:
9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Mountain
6:00 PM Pacific
Call in number: (667) 770-1476 (Note: We have a new call-in phone number)
Access Code: 281207#
Recommended: For those who may be subject to added charges for conference calls. Please download the app, it’s free!
MOBILE APP: Free Conference Call HD also provides a quick and easy way for you to dial into conference calls without having to remember the dial-in credentials. Save all of your conference call dial-in numbers and access codes using this free app. With the Free Conference Call HD you can instantly dial into a conference call via 3G/4G data network and or regular mobile carrier. Google Play link or App Store – iTunes
If you are experiencing any difficulties joining the call, please let us know.
What is Persecution Watch?
Persecution Watch is a U.S. national prayer conference call ministry that prays specifically for the global Persecuted Church. For over a decade, Blaine Scogin led this national network of believers who faithfully pray for the persecuted and the global harvest for the Kingdom of God. The group meets via a free call-in service every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at 9pm Eastern time in the United States (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted, and the missions became one. Brother Blaine passed into glory on December 26, 2019. It was truly a blessing for all of us to serve alongside this dear man of God and he will be greatly missed. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch remains an important part of our mission. Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with the dedicated Persecution Watch prayer warrior team.
Prior to the passing of Brother Blaine, he confirmed the passing of the torch as prayer conference call leader to Nadia Dybvik. Nadia has a burdened heart for the persecuted and is a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them. She joined the Persecution Watch prayer team in 2013 and has been part of the core ever since. Before becoming the prayer call leader, she served in the role of prayer moderator since 2015. Blaine chose Nadia for her faithfulness to pray for the persecuted and her strong commitment to the Persecution Watch mission. We are blessed not only with her gift of prayer, but her genuine love for every brother and sister in Christ that comes on the call to pray. May the Lord continue to bless Nadia and the prayer team in the mission and their personal lives.
“Pray for us” is the number one request that we hear from the persecuted. As the members of the first century Church were moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.
On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited on the conference call to share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.
Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.
We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in and pray silently or on mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!
God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.
Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader and the Persecution Watch Prayer Team
NOTE: Please fill out the form in the sign up link below to be included in our distribution list to receive urgent prayer requests, prayer points, notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.
Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.
VOICE OF THE PERSECUTED 