Burma (Myanmar)

After 45 years of military rule, Burma is one of the poorest nations of Southeast Asia. The constitution does not provide for religious freedom and all religious (non-buddhist) organizations are monitored. Permits are required for religious gathers over 5 people. House church leaders are arrested for not having proper documentation. Christians here still face persecution from local buddhist clergy and village leaders. Pray for unity to come over the scattered house churches and for peace to make a way for religious freedom here.

*What confuses me most about when I see that persecution exists in Buddhist countries is the thought that the buddhist religion is supposed to be a religion of peace, respect for life, and self-meditation. But it just supports that without Christ, there cannot be peace.  Phillipians 4:7 says,  “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The kind of peace that Myanmar needs is only from God by accepting Jesus as their savior.

Population: 48.8 million

Christian Population: 6.6%

Leader: General Than Shwe

Prayer Requests of the Myanmar People:

1) Pray for the ongoing relief effort for those still displaced by the Cyclone Nargis of 2008.

2) Pray for God to provide the daily needs of his followers there, many of whom are extremely poor and struggle for basic necessities.

3) Pray that God would soften the heart of authorities here to work toward common good and religious freedom for all.

Dear Lord, I pray that you bring the peace that passes all understanding to the Myanmar people through salvation in Jesus Christ. I pray that your protect each church leaders and Christians here. Please help any citizen who is still homeless after the cyclone here. Lord, provide the daily needs for your people here. Provide for them in miraculous ways so that they all have food, water, clothing, shelter and can find work. Please soften the hearts of the leaders here to be kind to their citizens and work toward the common good of the people. Let religious freedom come to this land so that people can choose in freedom which religion they should follow. Strengthen each church leader today and give them a special kind of encouragement to continue on. And Lord today my heart is heavy for Alyssa. I pray that she does not stop seeking you. Reveal yourself to her and show her how wonderful life is with you. I also pray this for Maur and Anon. Amen.

Praying for Bhutan!

BHUTAN is located northeast of India. The culture is largely influenced by Buddhism. The landscape is utterly beautiful with mountain peaks, trees, and flowing fields of wheat. Recently, Bhutan held its first parliamentary election, a new king was crowned, a the constitution was revised. Things are changing here for the better. Let’s give God the praise but remember our brothers and sisters here that face community persecution for Christ.

Population: 658,000

Christian Population: 2%

Leader: King Jigme Wangchuck

Prayer Requests:

1) Pray that the small community of believers here will receive much needed training and teaching despite old restrictions.

2) Pray that the ban of visas for religious workers would be lifted and missionaries would come into Bhutan.

3) Pray that the young Christian children here would not lose hope as they face pressure at school to attend Buddhist festivals.

4) Pray that the Christian community would experience God’s provision despite peer pressure from the Buddhist monks and the villagers.

*The new King in Bhutan could be used as a tool by God. He has implemented a new constitution guaranteeing more religious freedom! However, the old laws make take a while to be changed. Here, it’s really the communities that persecute Christians rather than the government. The village monks’ influence make it hard for Christians to get jobs and proper education. Also, Christians cannot build church buildings in the villages. In harsher communities, Christians still must gather in complete secrecy. Peer pressure here is extreme. Pray that the government follows through on their plans to increase religious freedom and the villages would respect the new laws.

Dear Lord, I lift up my brothers and sisters in Bhutan. Help them not to lose hope in you if their communities reject them. I pray that you provide them with jobs, food, education, and the opportunity to gather publicly for church. Please strengthen the young Christian children as they take a stand for Jesus in their schools. Please soften the hearts of the villagers and Monks and help them to accept Christianity as a recognized religion. Please send missionaries to this land. May they come with supplies and training for pastors and those hungry to learn about the Gospel. Lord, I pray you that this country seems to be implementing positive laws. I pray that you would bless King Wangchuck with a successful life. Please use him as a vessel for your honor and glory. Please introduce Jesus to him on his journey toward spiritual enlightenment. Lord, send your hope and peace into the land that it may prosper. Amen.

There is something  very special about King Wangchuck. Spirituality is very important to him and he is leading his country with a plan called “Gross National Happiness” (a phrase unique to the Bhutanese people). He and this country are searching for peace and joy. Pray that they find it in Jesus Christ. Also, praise be to God! Along with the new King, Bhutan has become the world’s youngest democratic country. Pray that God blesses this 28 year-old king with wisdom and prosperity.