[Today’s Prayer] Indonesia thwarts church bombing... arrests members of Islamic militant group

Indonesian authorities announced that they had foiled a suicide bombing plan by an Islamic extremist group against two churches.

According to the American Christian Post (CP), Counter-Terrorism Commando 88 Spokesperson Aswin Sire said at a recent press conference, "At around 7:15 pm on the 31st of last month, 19 people were on their way to remove evidence at Jalan Langsep in Batusi Sir village in Malang Regency, East Java. “We arrested three gang members,” he said.

The member, identified only by the initials HOK, was an online member of the Philippines-based Islamic militant group Daulah Islamiyah (DI) and had been planning suicide bombings using triacetone triperoxide (TATP) explosives at two Christian churches. . TATP, also known as the 'Devil's Mother', is considered the most powerful and dangerous of explosives.

Aswin said, "H · O · K often accessed websites containing DI propaganda promoting suicide bombings," and added, "I got the idea of carrying out a bombing after receiving various information from social media." he explained.

Meanwhile, Indonesia ranked 42nd in the '2024 List of Countries that Persecute Christians' published by Open Doors. According to the report, Indonesian society is becoming more conservative and Islamic. As a result, churches participating in evangelistic activities are at risk of becoming targets of Islamic extremist groups.

Source: Daily Good News

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Praise be to the Lord, who all nations to be at peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Indonesian authorities foiled a suicide bombing plot by an Islamic extremist group against two churches, with the suspects reportedly linked to ISIS support networks.

Heavenly Father, please keep a watchful eye over and protect Indonesia, which is at risk of becoming a more conservative Islamic society and targeted by Islamic extremist groups.

Have mercy on the Islamic souls in Indonesia who are blinded and deaf to the truth and carry out suicide bombings, and that they may realize they are sinners and be convinced of the love of Jesus Christ who died for them.

Allow the church in Indonesia, who is ranked 42nd on the list of countries where Christians are persecuted, will keep the faith and be a good soldier of Christ, pleasing only You in the face of suffering and persecution.

And let the fullness of the Holy Spirit cover the land of Indonesia and raise them up as a people to serve all peoples and nations!