The history of this nation is an unsettling one. It has not seen a consistent system of government until its most recent elections in 2012. In 1975, they declared independence from Portugal only to be invaded by the Indonesians nine days later[1]. This began a 24 years stint under Indonesian occupation in which the lives of over 100,000 Timorese were lost[2]. Australia has been a great partnering country in supporting peaceful solutions towards national and civil unrest[3]. In regards to the economy, 90% of their revenue comes through oil[4]. Nearly 42% of the population is living in poverty[5]. Finally, Timor-Leste is a source and destination country for the human trafficking of women, men, and children for the purposes of forced labor and sex trafficking[6]. Let’s Pray…

-God, we lift up every Timorese in this nation and ask for your voice to help them know that you Yahweh are God. Help them to know the love you have for each one of these individuals. God, help them find salvation in the son and become mature disciples where they can seek you out with all their heart, soul, and strength.* 

-Jesus, we pray for the spiritual environment of Timor-Leste. Jesus, we pray for your armies in heaven to take control of the spiritual environment on this island, and we ask for the angels of God to defeat the enemy. Jesus, we pray that darkness would subside and that hope would renew daily.  Yeshua, let your name be the center of hope in this nation!

-God, we lift up the government and pray that they would work in direct alignment with the authority of the son. Jesus, we pray every government official would know you and be led towards creative ideas to help this nation prosper. We pray for an increase in work opportunities for the people of Timor-Leste. God, we pray that you would secure justice for the poor and uphold the cause of the needy.** We pray for the provision of food, clothing, clean drinking water, and education for all people in Timor-Leste.    

-Father, we pray for the human trafficking crisis in this nation. Jesus, we speak your love and grace to fall upon these Timorese victims, and we pray that each individual would know you Jesus. Father, we pray for freedom from the chains of the enemy. We also pray for emotional, mental, and physical healing over each captive. We pray for those trafficking humans and for the softening of their hearts, that they may hear your word on the matter. Lead them to repentance, and lead their hearts towards freeing the captives. 

-God, we thank you for the alliance between Timor-Leste and Australia. Help these nations continue to serve one another through your plans.

-To all people in Timor-Leste we pray the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.*** Amen.   

Image Credit: Tanushree Rao

[1] Cia World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2020).

[2] Cia World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2020).

[3] Cia World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2020).

[4] Cia World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2020).

[5] Cia World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2020).

[6] Cia World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2020).

*Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Deuteronomy 6:5, (2011).

**Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Psalm 140:12, (2011).

***Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Numbers 6:24-26, (2011).