[Today's Prayer] “Myanmar's Churches and Communities Are Being Systematically Targeted”

The Christian city of Thantlang in Chin State, western Myanmar, was once a representative Christian residential area where 22 churches had been built. However, following the 2021 military coup, virtually only one church remains today. The remaining 21 churches were destroyed by shelling and arson.

Most residents have fled, and Pastor Kung Biak Hum, who stepped out to extinguish the flames, lost his life to gunfire by soldiers. It is known that even his wedding ring was forcibly taken by the soldiers.

The international community has long focused on the Rohingya Muslim refugee crisis. Indeed, more than 750,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, causing a severe humanitarian crisis. However, during the same period, the persecution and suffering experienced by approximately 4.5 million Christians within Myanmar remained relatively sidelined from international attention.

Experts point out that Myanmar's Christians are not merely collateral damage of the civil war, but are being deliberately targeted at the intersection of religion, ethnic identity, and political resistance.

Christians face threats not only from the military regime but also from various forces, including the Buddhist nationalist armed group known as the Arakan Army (AA) and some Islamic militant groups.

Currently, more than 22 million people in Myanmar are in need of humanitarian assistance, and about 3.7 million people have become internally displaced. In particular, the military continues its airstrikes on rebel-controlled areas, and many of the affected regions are densely populated by Christian communities.

Christians account for about 6% of Myanmar's population, but they are concentrated in ethnic minority communities within conflict zones such as Chin State, Kachin State, and Kayah (Karenni) State.

It is known that Chin State is 85% Christian, Kachin State is 34%, and Kayah State is 46%. These regions have seen ongoing clashes between the military and ethnic armed groups for decades, and churches and Christian institutions have been repeatedly attacked.

According to reports, more than 70 churches have been attacked with arson since the 2021 coup, and not only places of worship but also Christian schools, medical facilities, and relief centers are being targeted.

The suppression of Christians did not begin recently. Since the past military regimes, Chin Christians have experienced forced labor, torture, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial executions. Furthermore, the military has faced criticism for attempting to assimilate ethnic minority Christians in order to strengthen a Buddhist-centered national identity.

The 2008 constitution grants special status to Buddhism, and laws restricting conversion and interfaith marriage have been enforced. The Christian community has also faced various restrictions regarding church construction, cross installations, and religious registration processes.

Critics argue that these policies go beyond simple religious discrimination and are attempts to weaken the cultural and ethnic identity of Christian communities.

Experts analyze that the military perceives churches not merely as religious facilities, but as central institutions that bind local communities together.

Particularly in conflict zones, churches have served not only as places of worship but also as hubs for education, relief, and community organization. Therefore, destroying churches does not simply limit religious activities, but brings about the effect of weakening the community's capacity for resistance.

Dr. Sasa, a doctor from the Chin ethnicity who served in the National Unity Government (NUG), testified, “The military has raped women, tortured parents, and destroyed crosses. These things are happening across all Christian areas.”

Attacks targeting churches and clergy have continued to increase in recent years. There are successive instances where churches are destroyed by bombing and believers are sacrificed during worship, with numerous pastors reported to have been arrested or killed.

(Omitted)

Experts emphasized that the international community must more seriously recognize the fact that Myanmar's Christian communities are not simple casualties of war, but are being continuously targeted because of their religion and ethnic identity.

Source: Christian Today

And the Lord will deliver them over to you, that you may do to them according to all the commandments which I have commanded you. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:5-6)

God, we hear the heartbreaking news that churches and Christian communities in western Myanmar's Chin State, as well as Kachin State and Kayah State, are facing threats from Myanmar soldiers, the Buddhist nationalist armed group Arakan Army, and certain Islamic militant groups.

Although the international community focused on the Rohingya Muslim refugee crisis following the 2021 military coup, the persecution and suffering endured by approximately 4.5 million Christians in Myanmar during the same period has remained out of the spotlight. May the Lord look upon them with mercy and protect them.

In a situation where the military and rebel forces continue their airstrikes, causing significant damage, please speak to the Christians of Myanmar who keep their faith, assuring them that the Lord their God goes with them. Grant them strength and courage to endure and overcome all this time.

May the commanders who direct the soldiers to commit countless acts of violence to solidify the Myanmar military regime repent. Let them acknowledge that the power to transfer and protect regimes belongs to Jehovah God, and let them cease all their wrongdoings.

As the Myanmar church fights the fight of faith through times when churches are destroyed by bombing, believers are sacrificed during worship, and numerous pastors are arrested or killed, may the Holy Spirit avenge every moment and accept the blood of the martyrs to turn the hearts of Myanmar's Buddhists and Muslims.

May the global church share the situation of Myanmar's Christians and, above all, partner through prayer and material resources to rebuild the Myanmar churches that have served as hubs for worship, education, and relief community organization. Allow them to share Myanmar's situation with the international community and raise their voices so that the violent acts of the Myanmar military may cease.

Through this, may Myanmar rise above all its pain, become steadfast in faith, and prepare for the return of the Lord along the Asian Highway!