Members of one of the closed churches hold a sign that says: "Our Assemblies of God church has been sealed by the government." (Photo: World Watch Monitor)
Members of one of the closed churches hold a sign that says: "Our Assemblies of God church has been sealed by the government." (Photo: World Watch Monitor)
Oct. 25, 2018 | Indonesia

Three More Churches Closed

[235] prayers in [16] nations have been posted for Churches Closed.

Officials closed three churches on Sept. 27 on the island of Sumatra. Police sealed the buildings of the Indonesia Christian Huria (HKI), Indonesian Methodist Church (GMI) and God's Assemblies Church (GSJA) citing permit violations while congregants wept. In the previous decade, Indonesian authorities have closed more than 1,000 church buildings. The Taman Yasmin Indonesian Christian Church in Bogor, Indonesia was closed in 2008, but the church fought back and petitioned the courts. The case went before the Supreme Court and they won, but Bogor’s mayor continued to prevent the church from meeting in their building. For several years, the congregation met in front of the property, but the constant protests and threats by extremist Muslims forced them to relocate. Today, the church building remains vacant and in disrepair. Pray for Christians as they gather without church buildings.

Write your own prayer for Churches Closed

  • Father God, please be with all these members of the church in Indonesia. please help them find a place to meet. Also remind them that we are the church, not the building. For it says in your word where two or more are gathered there I am also. Help them to remain strong Sharing your gospel in Jesus name amen!
    Robin S - USA
  • Father, thank You that You and the gospel of Jesus Christ is greater than every attempt to stop it. Thank You that Your truth is not limited to a church building, but lives in the hearts and lives of those who follow You fully. Strengthen Your people who gather to worship You in creative ways and places. Make their lives beautiful with Your peace.
    Karen K - USA
  • Our Father, please do not left Christians in Indonesia hopless. They have the right to live their lives because You gave it. Please help! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
    Maria D - Finland
  • Our Father, please help brothers and sisters in Indonesia. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
    Maria D - Finland
  • Precious, Gracious Lord, please reopen these churches so that they can be lights for their communities. Please draw the opposition forces to You, Jesus. Strengthen Your saints to keep on keeping on. In Your Name I pray. Thank You. Amen.
    Christienne D - USA
  • Bring Indonesia to its knees before your cross, Oh Christ!! Open eyes and unstop their ears, so they may see and hear and know you. Without you, Indonesia will be cast into eternal flames and be tormented forever.
    Mark M - USA
  • Help these churches relocate and to become the envy of those muslims you first shut them down.
    Debbie V - USA
  • Father God, I pray that you continue to protect your church in Indonesia. Comfort those who have lost their properties, help them to remain faithful and provide for them places where they can meet safely together. Give them strength and peace in the midst of difficulties. Make them powerful witnesses of your love. Thank you Father.
    Pierrette W - Canada
  • Father, we know the enemy is doing his best to stop your Word from being heard. I pray you go before your children and fight the battle. I pray you give your children wisdom in knowing how to fight the enemy. I pray for the leaders that their eyes would be opened to the truth. I pray that your Spirit would be poured out in a mighty way, all would see
    Polly C - USA
  • Dear Lord,
    We pray for our brothers & sisters in Indonesia, that you will bless them with deep faith & faithfulness, so they might withstand the pressures they are on, and that your church will thrive with or without church buildings. We pray for their oppressors, that they will come to know & love you, & that religious tolerance will abound. Amen
    Susan G - Australia
  • LORD,
    We THANK YOU THAT TRUE WORSHIPPERS CAN PRAISE & WORSHIP YOU ANYWHERE ANYTIME! Help these men and women to always know that. We Thank a You LORD THAT THEY ARE THE CHURCH. Give them boldness, courage and great FAITH TO STAY CONNECTED TO YOU NO MATTER WHAT. Surround Your people as they fellowship wherever they happen to be. In Jesus name Amen
    Deidre S - USA
  • Father, Please reassure these precious believers that the Church has nothing to do with a building but is made up of precious, committed souls to Jesus. Protect them and grant them good weather as they worship in the open. Use their worshiping in the open as a powerful, converting witness to start breaking the hold of Islam in this area.
    In Jesus Name
    Cathleen W - USA
  • Jesus, comfort Your people and remind them that You promised to be in their midst "where two or three are gathered together" wherever they are, in a church building or not. Please soften the hearts of the Sumatran authorities and convince them to show favor towards Your people.
    Elizabeth M - USA
  • Dear Lord,
    Be with these believers; help to remain strong in the faith as they meet without their buildings of worship. May this somehow bring more people to You; may they see that it's not a place, but in the heart that You reside. Use what looks to be bad, and use for good. May Your name be glorified!
    In Jesus' Name, Amen
    Madison F - USA
  • Father God, remind these congregations that they are the body of Christ, they are the church, not a building. Provide fellowship opportunities for them as they gather without a building. May those who persecute them see there love and devotion and desire to know more about the Christian walk. In Jesus name amen.
    Elaine H - USA
  • Father, the Church is really the people and not the building. I pray these church members can comfort one another and press on in meeting together in homes or wherever they can. Please soften the hearts of the officials so these buildings can be reopened. Come soon, Lord Jesus. Amen.
    Melody F - USA
  • I pray for the closed churches to be made to be protected and be able to be reopened. Protect those who worship from extremist threats.
    michele r - USA
  • Adoni Indonesia has become a turbulent country. Islamic are becoming more radical and merciless hurting innocent people. Jesus only You understand the depth of their pain because you move among them God. Please soften our hearts to give and love generously to glorify You God love and honour You above all things in this life. You alone are holy God
    Benedicta N - USA
  • Oh Lord G-d you are very great! May Your Holy will be done in Indonesia. Give the Christian's there strength for the battle - cause them to triumph in the things that count eternally. Comfort them. Send them help from your Holy Sanctuary. In Jesus name.
    Yvonne S - USA
  • Pray God will prevail for these Christians their and grant strenght, protection, provisions, favor like Daniel. In Jesus name, Amen
    Jeanine J - USA
  • Lord Jesus, I am confident that You will show Your people the way. I know You have a plan for them as they strive to worship You no matter what the cost. Bless them O Lord for their steadfast desire to serve You.
    Patricia W - USA
  • Lord, please help our brothers and sisters in Indonesia. Encourage them as they face disappointment and hardship. Please work in the hearts of officials to allow them back in their church building, and in the meantime, may they find alternate places to meet that are away from government control. Keep them unified and loving one another, we pray.
    Jackie V - USA
  • Lord, I pray for these believers in Indonesia and I ask that you would encourage them. I ask that they would be able to meet in buildings again and they would not grow weary in the battle. I pray that they could meanwhile meet in their homes and pray for breakthru. All things are possible with you. Give them courage and faith. In Jesus' Name, amen
    Nancy G - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for these believers whose church buildings are being closed: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they be & remain strong & united in their faith. May they focus on being the Church & find favor with the authorities. And may they be able to meet in their buildings. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Lord God, we ask that You would allow these churches to again meet in their buildings, that the hearts of the government would be softened to allow this freedom. May Your church respond with confidence in You and may they only be strengthened through this persecution. May many see and marvel and be drawn to You as they witness Your people.
    Danielle H - USA
  • Abba even if the church doors are closed may the spirit of these believers remain uplifted and continue to glorify Your holy name in their home and market places to draw many unbelievers to the saving knowledge through Jesus alone. Move the leaders of govt to intervene on their behalf. Their rights are violated God.Only you can sustain them&keep them
    BENEDICTA N - USA
  • Father God, I lift up these congregations of believers to you and pray that their churches will be reopened. I pray governmental leaders will be put in place that are sympathetic to Christians and allow them to meet in peace. I pray that you strengthen your people there while they wait and seek you and that you will glorify the name of Jesus there.
    Julia F - USA
  • Lord God, thank You that my brothers and sisters in Indonesia, including Bogor and on the island of Sumatra are persevering in the midst of intense pressure to disband. I thank You that they are standing firm in their right to assemble and worship the Lord Jesus Christ and grant them ongoing boldness and compassion for the officials opposing them.
    Forrest B - USA
  • Lord let your people go forth with boldness and in great strength which you pour into. Light a fire around them, a hunger for you. Let the Truth which they speak land on ears that hear and respond and hearts that are repentant. Open the doors of the churches and protect them from athourities who do not know You. Protect t and defend your people.
    Atacy U - USA
  • Father God, please hear the prayers of all your people here and around the world on behalf of those suffering for Jesus. Please reveal the truth and dispel the lies of ungodly governments. Let them be put to shame until they repent and turn to JESUS. Make a way for the faithful to meet for worship, prayer, and the reading of Your word.
    Kathy G - USA
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