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Brunei

Overview

Brunei life and culture is similar to Malaysian life and culture.  About 10 percent of Brunei’s 400,000 or so people like in kampongs (“water villages”), where many homes are built on poles over rivers and waterways

Because of abundance of oil money floating around citizens of Brunei have a strong welfare system with free education, free health care and subsidized housing, low interest housing loans, subsidized rent, subsistence payments for widows, even a free amusement park.  There are generous pensions.  It is often called a “Shellfare.”  Brunei Shell Petroleum is the state oil company.

Intercessory Overview

Brunei is a Muslim-majority nation under the rule of a dynastic sultan and Islamic law.  There are about 20 registered churches in Brunei but few opportunities for Bruneians to hear the gospel.  While oil wealth has ensured that few people lack in material needs, spiritual needs are great.  Despite the risks, a few bold evangelists and missionaries continue to bring the light of the gospel to this dark land.

MAJOR RELIGION
Almost 80% of Bruneians are Sunni Muslims, and nearly all of the 9% who are Christians are ethnically Chinese.
Persecution
The government is the main persecutor of Christians.
What it means to follow Christ
While some historic churches exist in Brunei, no new church buildings are allowed.  Churches are often afraid to reach out to Muslims because they are monitored closely by the religious police.  Even inviting a Muslim to a Christmas celebration would be problematic.  The penalty for evangelizing Muslims is a $15,000 fine, up to five years in prison or both.  Nevertheless, several secret believers have been baptized.
Access to Bibles

Bibles in Malay, the country’s official language, are illegal and are confiscated if discovered.  No bookstores in Brunei sell Bibles.

PRAYERS FOR Brunei

  • Pray that underground churches will grow in boldness as they share the gospel.
  • Pray for Fitri, a new believer struggling to distinguish figurative from literal statements in the Bible.
  • Pray that believers from neighbouring countries will find creative ways to engage with Bruneians.
  • Pray for Ivan, pastor of one of the few underground churches.
  • Pray that registered churches will find favour with the government and their neighbours.
  • Pray for Kris as he teaches young adults how to share their faith with Muslim friends.

More Prayers

  • Islam dominates life in Brunei . The Islam practised here is conservative, but not radical. Pressure results in a slow stream of converts to Islam from among the tribal and Chinese minorities.  The constitution guarantees religious freedom, but it is illegal to evangelize and illegal for a Muslim to convert to another religion.  Government agents often go undercover in other religious groups to monitor them.  The Sultan is considered the world’s 2ndwealthiest royal.  He established a world-class university, and now works to hand over rule smoothly to the crown prince.  Pray for conversions to Christ in the large royal family.  Pray for spiritual openness and for religious freedom.