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Myanmar

  • Burmese military cracking down on religious groups in Yangon


    A candlelight vigil in Yangon
    Photo from    AsiaNews

    The Burmese military has prohibited Christian and Muslim groups in the city of Yangon from holding prayer meetings in private homes, according to a January 13 report from AsiaNews. The property owners of buildings rented by believers for their worship services were recently handed an order by officials of the Rangoon division Religious Affairs Department, demanding they prohibit these meetings or face the confiscation or closure of their property. Since the government rarely permits religious groups from owning or constructing places of worship, local Christians estimate that the majority of churches will be affected.

    Pray for Christ's peace and grace to fill the hearts of Christians affected by these new restrictions. Pray that the bold faith of Christians in Burma will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Burma, go to theBurma Country Report.
  • Authorities Close Church in Burma's Capital
    Rev. Dam Suan Mung with his wife, Vung Za Niang

    A rapidly growing church in Rangoon, the capital of Myanmar (Burma) has been closed by military officials, according to a news report on September 9 from "The Irrawaddy" news agency.  The Full Gospel Assembly has been very active in the city, but is now unable to carry on any activities, according to a pastor from the church.

    According to Christian sources in Myanmar, authorities have been cracking down on several Christian churches in recent months because of the large numbers of Buddhists who have converted to Christianity.

    Pray for Pastor Dam Suan Mung and the leaders of the church, as they look for the best way to minister to the church members in the coming days. Pray for a continued outreach so that many will come to faith in Christ.

    For more information on Myanmar and the persecution facing Christian there,click here.
  • People Call for Prayer as Cross is Destroyed

    The people of Chin State in Myanmar (Burma), are calling for a day of prayer on January 30 for the persecuted Christians in their state.  The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) is also calling for protests at embassies around the world.  The Chin people are predominantly Christian and have experienced numerous incidents of persecution from Myanmar's military regime.

    In a recent act of opposition to the presence of Christianity in Myanmar, government forces defaced and then destroyed a fifty-foot concrete cross on a hilltop on Matupi Township of southern Chin State on January 3.  A cross had been in that location for two decades as a testimony to their faith in Christ.  Since the mid-1990's, the government forces have destroyed at least half a dozen crosses and several churches in Chin State.  In many cases, these have been replaced with Buddhist pagodas.  It is rumoured that this is also planned in the latest incident.  The CHRO believes that "the destruction of crosses, church buildings and persecution of Christian religious leaders are evidently designed to crush the will and psychology of Chin Christians to preserve and defend their religious, cultural and ethnic identity." 

    Pray for the Chin people as they stand firm in the face of opposition from this brutal regime.  We encourage Christians around the world to write their government leaders as well as Myanmar embassies to protest the persecution of the Chin people and other Christians in Myanmar.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Myanmar,click here.
  • Five Christians Released from Prison

    On June 18, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on five Christians who had been arrested in Myanmar. (For more information, see https://www.vomcanada.com/mm-2003-06-18.htm). The charges arose from a dispute with the government over orphanages confiscated for military use. In court, the men were convicted of selling children and given the option of life in prison or death.

    However, on July 8, news was received by VOM Australia that the five men had been released after court proceedings. Praise God for His intervention in this matter. Pray for these men and other Christians facing continued harassment at the hands of the military dictatorship in Myanmar (formerly Burma).
  • Five Christians Arrested

    Five Christians were arrested in Myanmar (Burma) last week including a pastor. They have been charged with selling children and given the choice between life in prison or the death sentence.

    According to sources for The Voice of the Martyrs, the military had confiscated twenty-two orphanages for military use. Pastor Run Hesh Ling and Sa Tin Khup tried to prevent this from happening, which lead to the arrests. Arrested along with these men were Sa Tin Khup's daughter, Cung Hlen, Mr. Thongte, and Mr. Lowib.

    Please pray for strength and endurance for these believers. Torture by the Myanmar military is common. Pray that they will remain faithful.

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