Friends, fear is palpable in Myanmar since the military coup on Friday 1: Soldiers hunt down and shoot protestors and internet is limited. The communication restrictions make it difficult to get information from our partner networks there. When Christians are able to make contact outside of Myanmar, they express the fear and uncertainty gripping the country - and they also request prayer!
Pastor Kyaw leads a small church with his wife in a township where martial law is imposed. Because of the daily gunfire near the church, church programs are suspended. "My wife has not been able to sleep for two weeks," he says. "that's why we fled to another town. When we arrived I had to flee again. This time for two days, because the army was recruiting more soldiers."
Fortunately now he is home and safe but the town he lives in is without internet and he worries about not hearing news.
Others are also at risk of being forcibly drafted into the army. "In a remote village, a pastor is leading a small church," Open Doors partner Lwin says. "There are no soldiers or police in their village so regular prayers are held every night. Last week, the village chief was asked to recruit 30 men for the military in their village. Now the believers, including the pastor, are hiding in the forest. Worship was suspended."
Because of the uncertainty and rapidly changing situation, Lwin and others live and work in the midst of a lot of stress . No-ones safety is guaranteed.
But Lwin and the other believers know they are not alone. Lwin says "Thank you for standing with us during this crisis. We don't know how or when this will be over. Please pray believers will stand firm in their faith, and non-believers - many of whom are frustrated and hopeless at the moment, even with their own faith - will come to know the true and living God."
Pray for protection and peace for Pastor Kyaw, his wife and others like them, that they would be able to sleep in His peace despite all that is going on around them.
Pray believers will stand strong in their faith and boldly share it with others.
Pray for peace in Myanmar, and that the military would stop its killing of unarmed and peaceful protestors.
Pray people who do not know Christ would be drawn to Him and come to know Him.
Thank you so much for praying for our persecuted family, God bless.
Information from Open Doors USA text alerts, to sign up for text alerts or emails please visit them online. michelle.
Pastor Kyaw leads a small church with his wife in a township where martial law is imposed. Because of the daily gunfire near the church, church programs are suspended. "My wife has not been able to sleep for two weeks," he says. "that's why we fled to another town. When we arrived I had to flee again. This time for two days, because the army was recruiting more soldiers."
Fortunately now he is home and safe but the town he lives in is without internet and he worries about not hearing news.
Others are also at risk of being forcibly drafted into the army. "In a remote village, a pastor is leading a small church," Open Doors partner Lwin says. "There are no soldiers or police in their village so regular prayers are held every night. Last week, the village chief was asked to recruit 30 men for the military in their village. Now the believers, including the pastor, are hiding in the forest. Worship was suspended."
Because of the uncertainty and rapidly changing situation, Lwin and others live and work in the midst of a lot of stress . No-ones safety is guaranteed.
But Lwin and the other believers know they are not alone. Lwin says "Thank you for standing with us during this crisis. We don't know how or when this will be over. Please pray believers will stand firm in their faith, and non-believers - many of whom are frustrated and hopeless at the moment, even with their own faith - will come to know the true and living God."
Pray for protection and peace for Pastor Kyaw, his wife and others like them, that they would be able to sleep in His peace despite all that is going on around them.
Pray believers will stand strong in their faith and boldly share it with others.
Pray for peace in Myanmar, and that the military would stop its killing of unarmed and peaceful protestors.
Pray people who do not know Christ would be drawn to Him and come to know Him.
Thank you so much for praying for our persecuted family, God bless.
Information from Open Doors USA text alerts, to sign up for text alerts or emails please visit them online. michelle.