Pray for Burma

[steve...@aol.com]

Note from Open Doors International:

The situation in Burma continues to deteriorate as a result of last
Saturday’s devastating cyclone and they need your prayers. The
pictures we are seeing and the reports coming out of the country are
heart-breaking. Many of them have not only lost their homes, but many
have lost loved ones.

We need to blanket these hungry and homeless survivors in prayer. Many
do not have access to food, clean water or medicine. Even though
Burma’s borders may be closed, our prayers can pass through.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that American diplomat Shari
Villarosa said the number of deaths could eventually exceed 100,000
because safe food and water were scarce and unsanitary conditions
widespread. The United Nations reported there were 1 million homeless
people. Also, there were reports that the country’s military junta
was making it difficult for some international aid to get into Burma,
according to Associated Press.

According to the Open Doors’ World Watch List of countries where
Christians suffer the worst persecution. Burma is No. 25 on the list
of 50 countries. Of the 55 million citizens, approximately 90% are
Buddhist and 4% are Christian. As stated in the World Watch List:

Burma is a police state. The army has ruled the country for many
decades. There is limited freedom of religion. Most of the country’s
Christians belong to ethnic minorities. Army campaigns against these
minorities often have a side-effect of persecuting Christians. The
situation for Christians in Rangoon seems to be okay, but it is
difficult to assess the situation in the countryside. The regime
restricts travel of foreigners. At the end of September 2007, the
regime reacted with its usual iron-fist approach to squelch the pro-
democracy demonstrations in Burma. Dozens were killed, and hundreds if
not thousands were arrested. What was most remarkable in this event
was the prominent role Buddhist clergy played in defying the regime
and the incredible hardness of the regime against the monks. It seems
that the “automatic” link between the regime and the state-controlled
form of Buddhism has all but disappeared.


Prayer Points:

The leaders of Burma will honor the efforts of others around the world
who want to help the survivors
The tens of thousands of people missing will be found alive, reunited
with their families and the estimated one million homeless will find
shelter
Food, clean water and medical supplies will be delivered to the most
needy as soon as possible
Christians in Burma will feel the peace and comfort of worldwide
prayers
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Join me in the first line of defense against this devastation as we
pray Burmese victims, rescue operations and the presence of God
throughout their nation.