West Java is quickly becoming one of the most intolerant provinces toward religious minorities in Indonesia. Authorities in the Cianjur district, which is about 90 km from Jakarta, have ordered seven churches to close because of allegedly having irregularities in their building permits. Building a church in Indonesia is a long and complicated process, requiring many permits, as well as permission from residents in the area where the church is to be built. The alleged lack of building permits has led to the closure of many churches since 2006, including several who had been meeting for years and had no issues until the communities were stirred up by extremist movements. The churches in Cianjur have been active since 1990, when a local branch of the Ministry of Religious Affairs gave approval for them to meet.
Pray for these churches to seek the Lord and see what He would have them do in this situation. Ask the Father to give them encouragement and provide another place for them to meet.
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