Day 31
East Timor
This month we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World. Many in East Timor have a nominal Catholic background. How we pray that many will have a profound, life-changing encounter with the real, living, power of God this Christmas time. Pray that the Holy Spirit will draw people into a relationship with Himself that leads to repentance, forgiveness, and transformation. Pray that churches will be renewed, and back-sliders will return to the Lord. Pray that the Light of the World will shine brightly in the lives of those who love and follow Jesus (The Bible, John 1:9).
The country, also known as Timor-Leste, had a bloody 24-year resistance against Indonesian occupiers, gaining independence officially in 2002. In stark contrast to this turbulent past, East Timor peacefully transferred power to a younger generation of leaders in the 2017 presidential elections. However, the nation has failed to form a secure, strong government since the 2018 parliamentary elections. The membership of the governing coalition changed again in 2020. Half of the country, with a population of only 1.3 million people, still lives in extreme poverty. High levels of youth unemployment fuel gang violence. With around 95% of its population being Roman Catholic, it is one of only two predominantly Christian nations in Southeast Asia. Churches face no persecution.
