Source: Open Doors, February 1, 2021
On the morning of February 1, Christians around the world woke up to the news there had been a coup in Myanmar. The military has detained a number of opposition politicians, including the civilian leader of the country, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Our sources on the ground tell us Myanmar’s new military takeover could lead to news blackouts, tightening restrictions on the church, and a resurgence of pro-Buddhist sentiment. Yet local believers in Myanmar are responding the best way they know how—through prayer.
Reports from local church contacts have been trickling in. “Pastors are admonishing their members to pray and intercede for the country in their homes,” shares [a partner named] Daisy. “In less restricted areas, some pastors and believers have gathered for prayer meetings in their churches.”
“The majority of our contacts across Myanmar are still out of reach, but despite the absence of communication, there is confidence that the Holy Spirit will give the church leaders wisdom for such a time as this.”
» Full story and a followup story include more on-the-ground reports and prayer points. A story from Mission Network News includes similar language, saying the national church sees this as a time to pray as in the days of Queen Esther (see Esther 4:16).
» For background and continuing coverage of events in Myanmar, see coverage from the BBC.
» You might also be interested in The Case for Multi-Ethnic Churches in Multi-Cultural Myanmar (OMF International). It’s part of Mission Roundtable, OMF’s “journal for reflective practitioners.”