The Christian organization Mahanaim along with the churches of the synod Jemaat Kristen Indonesia (the Christian Congregation of Indonesia) a.k.a. JKI were invited by the government, in particular the Commander in Chief of Jakarta’s military area and the President of Indonesia, SBY, to hold a prayer event in the fields in front of one of the American hotels that was bombed a few weeks ago, Hotel Ritz-Carlton.

Friday, Aug 7, 2009 from 5 pm until around 9pm tens of thousands of people from various religion and background gathered in the spirit of nationalism, unity and hope for Indonesia’s better future.

The National Anthem Indonesia Raya (Great Indonesia), a national song Indonesia Pusaka (Indonesia, the Heritage) and patriotic songs written by today’s generations’ bands and song writers such as Gebyar-gebyar (Sparkling) written by Gombloh and Merah Putih (Red-white — as in the colour of the flag) written by the band Coklat and many more were sung together.

As the event was hosted by the Christian organization and church, every element around the venue bore symbols of hope, glory and longing of the reign of the Kingdom of God himself over Indonesia. Hundreds of banners were waved in reference to the God of the Christians with different kinds of symbols on each banner. When I looked around and looked closer at the banners the Christian hosts were waving, I recognise the symbols, the meaning and the messages that were waved through the air that night.

A banner of the rose of Sharon was a symbol of Jesus Christ himself. With every wave of this banner, a glimpse of hope that the sweet scent and beauty of the rose of Sharon will fill the nation was expressed. A banner with a crown as a symbol of the King of kings expresses the longing of the just King of heaven to rule over the country. Names of the God of Israel were on other banners, such as Jehovah Nissi (God who fights for me), Jehovah Jireh (God who provides) and Jehovah Shalom (God is my peace).

In the audience I saw hundreds of people waving banners of the colour of the Indonesian flag, red and white, with symbols in the middle. Symbols of a crown, a royal staff and other symbols taken from the Bible, particularly from the Book of Revelation, to honour the king of heavens, were seen.

The event was opened by percussions and the sounding of a Shofar, followed by the ringing of a church bell. The meaning of the Shofar and the church bell was explained by the Moslem leader, Gus Wicaksono, who shortly after the sounding of the Shofar and the church bell said a prayer to the God whom he referred to as  the God of Abraham, Isaac and his descendent Jacob a.k.a. Israel, Ishmael and his descendent Muhammad. In his explanation he told a story of a boy who later became the Commander in Chief of Jakarta’s military area who asked what the meaning of the church bell ringing was. The answer was to call people to enter life. The sounding of the Shofar and the ringing of the church bell at the beginning of the event was exactly to do that – to call people to enter life.

People who were not Christians could easily miss all of the beautiful symbols and messages expressed in every detail you can find throughout the event. But those who understand were silently absorbing each message which made their hearts a place for God to rain down and be present among the people. Yes, God was present. You can feel the deep feeling of peace, warmth and a different, wonderful presence of Somebody throughout the event.

Just after the sounding of the Shofar and the ringing of the church bell, hundreds of doves were released into the air. A dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus came out of the water after he was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended over Him in a form of a dove.

Torches brought in by children were lit up surrounding the fields. “You are the light of the world,” Jesus said in the Bible and the torches were symbolizing prayers that in the end Indonesia would bring light to overcome darkness in the whole world.

Five leaders of the biggest religions in Indonesia went on stage to say their prayers, leaders of the Hindus, Buddhist, Moslems, Catholics and Christians. Only 2 of them left a deep impression in the audience. The first was the prayer of the Moslem leader, Gus Wicaksono. He interceded for the country and asked the “God of Abraham” for forgiveness on behalf of the small radical group who had attacked again. He mentioned Jesus Christ with the Christian version ‘Jesus’ as opposed to the Muslim version ‘Isa’ (fyi the Jewish version is ‘Yeshua’.) and prayed that the “God of Abraham and Jesus” would not turn His back against Indonesia and punish the nation for their sins. He asked to heal the land and restore what the country has damaged, and reviving the people, so that Indonesians will be the “salt of the earth” to bring meaning to the lives of the people all over the world instead of destroying lives.

The other prayer that left even a bigger impression was offered by the Christian leader Petrus Hadi. Many leaders of great churches in the whole world have come to Indonesia to prophecy that the country will rise and walk in God’s glory and live in abundance, becoming a blessing to other nations, becoming exporters of missionaries rather than terrorists. Petrus Hadi was one of all the Christians under the synod JKI that believed in it. He spoke blessings over Indonesia and prayed that Indonesia would rise and live in abundance as rich and developed as first world countries – if not richer. He prayed that Indonesia would rise out of their poverty, illiteracy, and all the things that have held them back. As the other four leaders offered their prayer while standing, Petrus Hadi was kneeling on stage, humbling himself before the King of heavens.

Prayers in the form of poems, songs and narration to a play were offered. The last Marriot and Ritz Carlton bombings were to be the last one ever. No more tearing this country apart. We prayed for the government that they be equipped with wisdom, skills, knowledge and God Himself to fight against violence and everything that has destroyed Indonesia for so long.

The whole event was fully packed with songs of prayers and hope for the new Indonesia. The lyrics of the songs were projected on the screens next to the stage so that people were able to sing along. The greatest strength of Indonesia showed up in the event. Indonesian people have a strong sense in solidarity and brotherhood. That is the main reason why there has not been any social revolution despite the fact that unemployment rate has reached nearly 35%. Families stick together, taking care of each other. Even if you are only living as a neighbour in the same village, you are a member of the family. The strong bond and unity was felt strongly during the event.

As one of the singers on stage presented motivational songs, people sang along with one strong united voice, determined to change the prayer in the song into reality. Go to this post to download the songs in the event and also to read the lyrics of the songs.

The prayer event started at about 5 pm. Every soul who cared about Indonesia in Jakarta gathered to sing and pray with the President of Indonesia.

Little did they know that exactly at the same time, at 5pm, far away in Central Java, the police surrounded a house that was a base camp of the South East Asia militant Islamic terrorist, Noordin M. Top. Noordin M. Top, a Malaysian who was the brain behind all the bomb attacks in Indonesia was hurt in the shooting that occurred later that night. The next morning, the news was filled with the first victory of Indonesia as Noordin M. Top and his men were announced dead.

Indonesia believes that God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel is here on this land. Indonesia believes that it will rise up with His love and power and become a powerful influence in the world. I have received oppositions by western cynics who do not believe that this will ever happen. But millions of Christians of Indonesia believe it wholeheartedly and that is enough faith to make it come to pass.

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