Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world with 235 unreached people groups. There is still so much work to be done to spread the gospel to every man, woman, and child in Indonesia. Prayer is the most crucial way we can see this spiritually dark nation reached. Many people want to pray intentionally and strategically for Indonesia but are sometimes unsure of how to pray. Here are 5 of the most crucial prayers for Indonesia.
1. Pray for the lost
Acts 26:18 – To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Not only is Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, but also has 5 other major religions; Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. There are still millions of people who are lost devoting their lives to false gods and religions. Most have never heard the good news of Jesus and many have never even heard the name of Jesus. Pray for God to open their eyes so that they receive the forgiveness of sins through Jesus who died for them and rose from the grave.
2. Pray for unreached people groups (UPGs)
Psalm 96:3 – Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
According to Joshua Project, an unreached people group is “a people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group without outside assistance.” 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 and disciple new believers. Pray His glory would spread to every people group and they would hear of His marvelous deeds. Visit the Joshua Project site to see the list of unreached people groups in Indonesia and specific ways to pray for them.
3. Pray for the Body of Christ
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…
We need to pray fervently for our Indonesian brothers and sisters in Christ to stand firm in their faith, understand the riches of the glorious inheritance they have in Christ, and have boldness to proclaim the gospel to the lost around them. Pray for God to strengthen them when faced with persecution and for unity among the Body of Christ there. Indonesian believers are the ones who will be most effective in reaching their people so we need to pray for their faith to endure as they are surrounded by people who oppose the gospel message.
4. Pray for the leaders
1 Timothy 2:1-2 – I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Pray for the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, and all those in authority to have discernment and wisdom as they lead the people of Indonesia. Pray ultimately they come to know Jesus and live their lives for him. Most of the leaders in high positions are Muslim since Indonesia is a majority Muslim country.
5. Pray for more laborers
Matthew 9:37-38 – Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
The harvest is plentiful in Indonesia and there are still many more lost sheep who God will bring into the Kingdom! Jesus has told us to pray for more laborers to be sent out into the harvest. Let’s pray God raises up laborers from churches, from other nations, and even from Muslim families who will finish the task in Indonesia by proclaiming the gospel, discipling new believers, and planting churches. There needs to be faithful gospel workers in every people group who know the heart language of that people group and will spread the gospel among them.
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There is still so much work to be done and millions who need to hear the gospel in Indonesia. Even if we are not physically in Indonesia preaching the gospel, we can still play a crucial part in the Great Commission by regularly offering prayers for Indonesia.
1 John 5:14 – And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 – This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
When we come to God and pray for the lost, unreached people groups, believers, and leaders in Indonesia, we know that He hears our requests because He also desires for Indonesians to love and worship Him. God is working and He invites us to take part in this beautiful work of seeing souls turning from darkness to light. Let’s accept His invitation and pray boldly knowing He is using us to make an eternal impact in Indonesia!
