For far too long, Burma’s been ruled by one of the world’s worst regimes. But as political prisoners are released, and Aung San Suu Kyi and her party win 43 seats in Parliament in recent by-elections, are there at last reasons to be hopeful?

Archbishop Charles Bo’s diocese is in Rangoon, Burma’s former capital. He’s watched the recent signs of reform with growing hope.

He emphasizes, however, that our optimism should be cautious, and our prayers shouldn’t stop. Even if Burma were to become completely free overnight, there’s a lot of work to be done in teaching people what it means to be free. As Archbishop Bo says, “True freedom is to be able to do what is right, honest, sincere, and pure, and not to do simply what one wants to do.” He’s hoping that the Church will be able to play a role here, as it did five decades ago, helping with education, health and nation building.

This week, please:

• That the reforms would continue;
• That the people of Burma will be encouraged as they see change happening around them;
• That God would empower the Church in Burma to
• help whenever it can, demonstrating Christ’s love and compassion;
• For wisdom and protection for Archbishop Charles Bo in his prominent leadership position;
• That Archbishop Charles Bo would continue to find strength and peace in God;
• For inter-religious dialogue and harmony, and true religious freedom to be established in Burma.