In 2015, Burma held its first openly-contested democratic elections for 25 years. Despite this promising change, the country remains in many areas a restrictive and closed-off nation. The rights to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of press are being gravely and persistently violated; and the government appears determined that the human rights abuses and humanitarian crises should remain hidden from the world. Behind the closed doors are hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country who are desperately suffering on account of their various faiths and ethnicities.

Sunday 16 June

On 7 December three Kachin Christian activists were sentenced to six months in prison for taking part in a peaceful protest. Lum Zawng, Nang Pu and Zau Jet had called on the Burmese government to grant access to humanitarian aid to the thousands of internally displaced civilians forced to flee attacks by the Burma Army. Pray God’s peace over them today, and that they would be swiftly released. Monday 17 June In November 2018 a delegation of religious leaders and activists from northern Burma visited London and Brussels, calling for an end to crimes against humanity. Representatives of the Kachin, Shan and Ta’ang ethnic nationalities spoke out about the grave humanitarian situation and of the desperate need for genuine political dialogue to ensure peace in the region. Thank God for the bravery they’ve shown in addressing this issue publicly.

Tuesday 18 June

Today pray for Christians in the Wa region of Shan State. Since 13 September they’ve experienced increased targeting: pastors have been detained, churches destroyed or shut down, and religious schools forcibly closed. Within the space of a month 20 Catholic clergy and laypeople were expelled from the region.

Wednesday 19 June

The Burmese government is refusing to engage with the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma. Yanghee Lee has been prevented from entering the country since December 2017 and most recently was denied a visa in January 2019. Pray that God would inspire the government to change its stance and allow a thorough and fair review of the situation to be undertaken.

Thursday 20 June

Two Reuters journalists are currently serving a seven-year prison sentence after exposing a massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were charged after carrying out an investigation into the killing of ten Rohingya men by the Burma Army and Rakhine Buddhist villagers. Their appeals were rejected in January of this year. Ask that God would encourage these brave men and use them to inspire others to speak out for the truth.

Friday 21 June

The Rohingya crisis – which has seen hundreds of thousands flee to Bangladesh, thousands killed and a host of other atrocities – continues to this day. The situation has been termed a ‘textbook example of ethnic cleansing’, yet Aung San Suu Kyi and her government have consistently refused to acknowledge the severity of the crisis or cooperate with those seeking its end. Pray that those in power in Burma would take immediate, decisive and effective action.

Saturday 22 June

Heavenly Father, we lift up to you all the peoples of Burma. We pray for all who are prevented from practising their faith freely, and especially those denied access to basic humanitarian aid because of their religion. We ask that you guard and strengthen them, and fill them with hope for a genuine change in their country. Amen.