Day 31
East Timor
The East Timor government owns 56 percent and Australia’s Woodside Petroleum company owns 33 percent of the massive gas resource in the Timor Sea that separates the two nations. Right now, the world needs more gas, and East Timor needs the finances, but the two nations are disagreeing about where the gas should be processed. Pray for a wise decision to be made in a manner that is not drawn out. Pray in particular for righteous business deals to be made that benefit East Timor as a developing nation in much need of the financial boost. Pray for a new beginning for East Timor’s economic growth (The Bible, Psalm 104:27-28).
Source: The world needs more gas, and a speedy decision on Sunrise (AFR)
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.
