Pray for a worker, a former Muslim from Aceh Province, who was recently sentenced to two years in prison. While Indonesia as a whole is 87% Muslim, 98% of the people in Aceh Province follow Islam, and this province has been granted autonomous status and authority to govern by sharia (Islamic law). This worker was leading a small group of believers in another province, on another island, when he was detained for a social media post deemed as blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammad. He was flown back to Aceh in February and sentenced in July. His case is an example of the reach of police powers and increasingly strict blasphemy laws, especially since the implementation of a revised national Criminal Code. While Aceh is the only province given authority to apply sharia, sharia influences dozens of national laws, and many local governments integrate its principles into their regulations for Muslim citizens.

• Pray that the Lord would give this worker opportunities to reach fellow prisoners who likely have never interacted with a Christian or heard the gospel. Pray that these inmates—and others throughout the province—would gain access to and read God’s Word, available in Acehnese in print, audio, and electronic forms.

• Pray that God would encourage and provide for this worker’s family and congregation in the other province.

• Pray for national and local government authorities, that they would honor the freedom of religion granted in Indonesia’s Constitution. Churches face great difficulties in obtaining permits to build and cannot meet in private residences, demonstrators often disrupt services and church activities, and Christians (and members of any minority religion) face discrimination in the areas of employment and social services.