[Today’s Prayer] Myanmar Junta, After Receiving Letter on ‘40% Tariff,’ Says: “First Recognition of Regime, Thanks to Trump”

Myanmar’s military regime leader expressed gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump for acknowledging their rule, in response to a letter from Trump notifying them of a 40% reciprocal tariff.

According to AFP and others on the 12th (local time), Myanmar’s top military commander, Min Aung Hlaing, released his response to President Trump’s letter in both Burmese and English the day before.

Earlier, on the 7th (U.S. time), President Trump sent a letter to Commander Hlaing informing him that a 40% reciprocal tariff would be imposed starting next month.

The military regime stated that this letter from Trump marked the first time the United States had recognized them as Myanmar’s ruling authority.

Until now, the U.S. has refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the military regime that seized power in a 2021 coup, avoiding official contact. This letter from President Trump is the first correspondence the U.S. government has sent to the Myanmar military regime in over four years.

(Omitted)

Meanwhile, according to AP and Reuters, a Buddhist monastery in Myanmar’s central Sagaing region was hit by an airstrike from the military regime early yesterday morning, killing at least 23 people, multiple sources reported.

A member of a resistance group, speaking anonymously, told AP that around 1 a.m., military fighter jets dropped bombs, killing 23 civilians, including four children.

It was reported that the monastery had been sheltering about 150 villagers fleeing nearby clashes over the past few weeks.

A resident near the monastery said that in addition to the 23 confirmed deaths, many more people were injured in the airstrike.

(Omitted)

Source: Yonhap News

The Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation. (Psalm 149:4)

Heavenly Father, we hear the news that former U.S. President Donald Trump has notified Myanmar of a 40% reciprocal tariff, and that this is reportedly the first instance of the United States recognizing the military regime as the ruling authority in Myanmar.

Although the United States had until now refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the junta and avoided official contact, this letter lends weight to the regime. We pray for the people of Myanmar in the midst of this.

Lord, please visit and comfort the families of those who have died in the continuing civil war and violent clashes between the military and resistance groups since the coup.

You delight in those who humbly seek You and grant salvation—send believers to Myanmar to bring peace, to heal broken hearts, and to help the people see Your face even amid suffering.

Lord, may the military’s violence cease, and may leaders who fear You be established in Myanmar. Fill them with wisdom to govern the nation rightly, with reverence for You.

Lord, may the church in Myanmar and across ASEAN rise up to boldly proclaim the Gospel throughout the land. May the power of the Gospel come upon every people and region of Myanmar, and may every shadow be driven out by the light of Jesus Christ.

May every church in Myanmar carry the Gospel beyond its borders to all nations! Raise up the people of Myanmar to go to the ends of the earth with the Gospel, becoming the frontline of the one million-strong missionary army for ASEAN!