6th January, 2005

Prayer requests from the Indonesian Prayer Network...

• Pray for the newly formed association of the churches and Christian organizations in Indonesia as they channel money and aid to the victims in Aceh and West Sumatra so that the Christian witness will help the victims feel the love of Christ in the midst of their suffering.   

• Pray for the coordination of aid which is minimal.  Supplies are available where there are no people to distribute them.  People are plentiful in areas where there are no supplies.  The situation is very confused.

• Pray that medical treatment which is available through various command posts can prevent disease which is beginning to emerge.  Most dangerous are malaria, respiratory problems, diarrhoea, etc.  There are also many victims in serious condition which need nursing care as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.

• There has been an outpouring of sympathy from Indonesian citizens.  Support is being raised via television and other media.  Pray that all this money will actually get to the victims quickly.  Pray against corruption on the part of irresponsible parties.

• Mission boards and Christian ministries are ministering through opening relief command posts.  Pray that through these ministries of love many people might be saved spiritually as well as physically.   

• The Indonesian Government is giving free visas on arrival to aid workers good for 30 days.  International aid is now reaching Aceh.  Pray that all this help might be a sowing of love into the Muslim population of Aceh.  Pray also that there would be opportunities to share the Gospel that they might receive Christ.

• Pray for those ministering to the emotional needs of the victims.  There will be long term effects of this tragedy.  Pray for emotional restoration, and for those doing trauma counselling.  Also pray for the physical needs (rebuilding homes, clean water, etc.) which will be done by this association of the community of faith in Indonesia.

• Pray about the issues of "Christianization" that has been raised by one of the fundamental Islamic parties concerning the outpouring of financial and material help by the Christian community.  Engage in spiritual warfare against dark forces at work to try and stop Christians from undertaking relief work in Muslim areas.  Pray also that the Lord's church and Christian ministries would have wisdom in how to face this issue.   
 
• It is estimated that 15,000 students are threatened with losing any hope of continuing their education. The Department of Social Services has established a command centre to help the children who have been orphaned by this disaster.  Current estimates are around 35,000 children in Indonesia.  For the time being, the government is prohibiting adoptions. Pray that the Christian church, and children's ministries (such as Compassion) might see an opportunity to minister to these 35,000 children who are waiting for an expression of love and help.  
 
• In Aceh, there is a desperate need for experienced medical help, housing, and trauma counselling for the survivors.  Many are terrified at the sight of the ocean and run away screaming. 

• Refugees need emergency help as soon as possible to prevent starvation and disease from the threatened epidemic.  It's the rainy season making disease more easily transmittable.  Some have died as a result of a shortage of medical personnel.  Pray for those who are on the field from various Indonesian churches and Christian ministries that they would be a channel of blessing to the refugees.  Pray particularly that they would be able to get to some of the more remote islands.