[Today’s Prayer] Myanmar military forces church cross removal, requires prior permission for worship

The Myanmar military regime is posing a serious threat to the Christian community by forcing the removal of crosses and prior permission for worship.

Recently, the U.S.-based Christian persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) reported that "the Myanmar military has ordered churches in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, to no longer display crosses and that those who wish to hold services must submit a list of attendees and receive prior permission from the local police, as directed by police."

An anonymous believer said, "Last month, our church installed a cross, a symbol of faith, but the police came and demanded that it be taken down." "We could not remove the cross that we had prayed for and attached ourselves. Later, the police took the cross away."

Even though the church is officially licensed by the government, it faces additional restrictions, such as having to submit its attendance list and worship schedule in advance.

The same is true in areas controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), the most powerful of Myanmar's ethnic rebel groups, where concerns are growing about restrictions on religious freedom for Christian minorities.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recently pointed out in a report that "even after the Myanmar military regime lost control and territory to armed resistance groups, persecution of Christians and religious minorities continues."

Source: News

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28)

Heavenly Father, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, we praise you for your saving work today.

We hear that the ongoing military junta in Myanmar is posing serious threats to the Christian community, including the removal of crosses and forcing prior permission for worship.

Too many people have died and are still suffering and dying since the 2021 coup.

God of compassion, we pray that the persecution of the Christian community by the military junta will not cause them to give up worship, but that the people of Myanmar will fulfill the remainder of Christ's suffering, witnessing to the gospel and bringing Christ's season to the land of Myanmar.

May the love of Jesus Christ, who was given once for all to bear the sins of many, and whose blood was shed on the cross to bring salvation, cover the land of Myanmar.

And with that love, may the Myanmar Church overcome all persecution and suffering with Jesus, advance toward the nations on the Asian Highway, and prepare the way for the return of Jesus Christ!