[Today’s Prayer] Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Schools in Ethnic Rebel-Held Area…18 Dead

The Myanmar military regime carried out airstrikes on two schools in an area controlled by an ethnic armed group, killing 18 people.

According to AP on the 13th (local time), the junta mobilized fighter jets the previous day to bomb two private high schools in western Rakhine State, leaving 18 dead and 21 injured.

Among the injured, six are in critical condition, and six nearby houses were also damaged.

Most of the victims were identified as students among the 30 to 40 who were staying in the school dormitories.

(omitted)

The village, located about 250 km southwest of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, was seized by the Arakan Army in February last year.

The Arakan Army is one of the major armed groups and a military organization of the ethnic Arakan (Rakhine) people demanding autonomy.

(omitted)

In the run-up to elections, the junta has intensified airstrikes in recent months, combined with ground operations, in an effort to retake areas controlled by rebel groups.

(to be continued)

Source: Yonhap News

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

God our Father, we hear the heartbreaking news that the Myanmar military regime bombed two schools in Rakhine State, controlled by an ethnic armed group, killing 18 and injuring 21, with most of the dead being students.

Lord, please visit the bereaved families who lost loved ones in the airstrikes and the injured who are suffering. Touch their broken bodies and wounded hearts with Your healing hand, and pour out Your love and Word upon their impoverished spirits so that all pain and scars may be swiftly restored.

Be also with the youth of Rakhine State who lost their schools and friends. Into their fearful hearts, shaken by the unstable regime and air raids, pour Your comfort and hope.

Lord, be the Sovereign and the Center over Myanmar, which is suffering from the conflict between the military regime and armed groups. Let the continued airstrikes cease, the government be restored in stability, and the souls of Myanmar experience freedom and peace through Your Spirit.

Awaken the global Church and the ASEAN churches to take notice of this situation. May they pray fervently for Myanmar and go forth to spread the Gospel, so that by the power of the Gospel, all darkness in Myanmar may be shattered and a holy Church may be firmly established.

May the holy churches of Myanmar rise up and boldly proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ to all nations. And let the Myanmar people become a driving force in sending out an army of one million missionaries across ASEAN!