Day 10
Benin
We pray that the people of Benin will learn to speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. Holy Spirit, instruct the Churches and teach the Christian Believers to recognize that they will all be judged by the law of freedom. They will have to answer to You, the judge for what they have done. They should live as those who know that. In what they say and in what they do they must obey Your law. Lord, let the nature of that law cause the leaders to be kind to all people. Make the Churches proclaim that it is the law of freedom for those who have real trust inYou. Dear God in Your love, you have made Your children free from the punishment for their sins. We pray that Christians Believers will show Your love to other people both in words and in actions (The Bible, James 2:12).
Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon is a Beninese politician and businessman who has been President of Benin since 6 April 2016. An economist and investment banker turned politician, Lionel Zinsou was appointed Prime Minister of Benin in June 2015. Benin is best known for its peaceful democracy, one of the most stable in Africa. However, corruption remains a significant issue. The country, once hosting main ports crucial in the slave trade, still negotiates shady deals. Poverty increases each year. The nation’s annual Voodoo Day brings thousands of participants to the country’s celebration. Voodoo, a religion approved by the government, has more than 60% devotees and contributes to significant spiritual bondages over the nation, its people, and the Church. The country allows for freedom to practice and propagates any religion.
Day 10
Indonesia
Our Father in Heaven, we know that You see the people in Indonesia who are not being shown mercy. For Christian Believers who are being persecuted by authorities, neighbors, and family. For the vulnerable and marginalized who are frequently not shown mercy by the authorities or community. For the lawmakers and the law keepers. James teaches us that judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful, so we pray for mercy to be given. Thank you that mercy always triumphs over judgment (The Bible, James 2:13).
Having Southeast Asia’s strongest economy, Indonesia is also one of the G20’s wealthiest. It is the world’s fourth most populous nation. It also has the largest concentration of Muslims, yet Indonesia has an astonishingly high level of Christian presence. More than twelve percent of the population are Christians, over 33 million people, with church growth continuing to increase. While Christianity is not illegal, provincial laws can override it and Islamic law is sometimes used. Muslim extremists continue to spread anti-Christian messages in the public sector. President Widodo’s agenda to shift Indonesia from secularism to Islamization would seem to predict elevated levels of Christian persecution in the future. Indonesia has been the worst affected nation in Southeast Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic. They currently hold the 2022 presidency of the G20 and during the Summit in Bali, Indonesia called for urgent attention to be paid to the current global food and fuel crisis.
