Myanmar: “God’s Secret is Fridays”

In some of the most restricted countries the Gospel spreads in an unprecedented way, driven by prayer, boldness, persecution, and the Holy Spirit, according to a report by ‘Brother Jonathan’,
a Voice of the Martyrs missionary. “What we are seeing around the world is really a Gospel wildfire,” he says. Recently Jonathan asked one indigenous leader in Myanmar about their strategy
to send workers into unreached villages, and he  replied:

“The secret is Fridays.” “What is it about Fridays?” Jonathan wanted to know. “On Fridays we all come together and we fast and we pray – every Friday, all day.” “What if you’re going into a
hostile village?” “If we think it’s going to be a really hostile area, we set aside seven days to fast and pray. When that’s over we go and let the chips fall where they may.” Jonathan spoke to a 19-year-old worker in Myanmar who told him: “I’m going to move into a village where there are no churches and no Christians.”

He planned to build a small lean-to in the forest to live in, work in the rice fields, and start sharing the Gospel. “I’m going to plant a church and appoint a leader and then I’m going to move and do it again,” the young worker told him. “How long do you think you’ll do this?” Jonathan asked. “Until Jesus comes back.”

Source: Voice of the Martyrs; Joel News International

Bible Study: 2 Kings 5:1-27

PRAISE God for these bold and brave evangelists in a hostile environment.

PRAY that villagers all over Myanmar may hear and believe the Gospel.

Burma: Church grows amidst strife

Indigenous evangelists have been carrying the torch of gospel proclamation in Burma (Myanmar) since the regime expelled all foreign church workers in 1966. Operation World notes, ‘Momentum in evangelism is building as an indigenous missions movement begins to flourish.’ Christians now account for about 9 percent of Burma´s population, which is otherwise 80 percent Buddhist, 7.2 percent Muslim and less than 0.5 percent Hindu. The gospel has advanced in Burma against a backdrop of civil war, religious opposition, and poverty, where most people survive on the equivalent of one U.S. dollar a day, A ministry assisted by Christian Aid Mission in Shan state is planning to build a house where refugee children from the fighting can live, as well as obtain schooling.

Source: Christian Aid Mission; Operation World

Bible Study: Matthew 5:10-12

PRAISE God this suffering church is growing.

PRAY for the indigenous missionaries who brave many obstacles to carry the Gospel to the nation.

Myanmar: Refugees Learn to Love

Over 500,000 Burmese have been displaced from their homes and villages during decades of military rule. In June 2011, the Burmese Army broke a 17-year ceasefire in Kachin State, displacing over 120,000 innocent civilians. Many fled to refugee camps, where access to food and healthcare is limited and the risk of trafficking is high. In these places of despair, Partners Relief has been working with local organisations to train and equip a group of volunteers to lend a helping hand. The volunteers are themselves refugees, helping others. Partners says these volunteers live by one rule “Love your neighbour.” One volunteer, Bauk Ja, served families in the Pa Kahtawng refugee camp. Despite the loss of her home and her husband, she supported her “neighbour,” Lapai Sang Mai, who is a mother of six and lives with her mother-inlaw while her husband is at war. Partners, said Bauk Ja, arranged for people to stay at the clinic with Mai during labour. This allowed Mai’s mother-in-law to watch over the other children at home. Already over 150 volunteers have been trained. Altogether they are caring for nearly 8,000 internally displaced persons. Those who need food receive it. Those who are sick are cared for. And community is brought into a thrown-together refugee camp.

Source: Partners Relief; Prayer Alert

BIBLE STUDY: Luke 10:27

PRAISE God that His people are organising to help these people who have nothing. PRAY for an end to strife and for the Kingdom of God to be manifested.

Myanmar: Refugees Learn to Love

Over 500,000 Burmese have been displaced from their homes and villages during decades of military rule. In June 2011, the Burmese Army broke a 17-year ceasefire in Kachin State, displacing over 120,000 innocent civilians. Many fled to refugee camps, where access to food and healthcare is limited and the risk of trafficking is high. In these places of despair, Partners Relief has been working with local organisations to train and equip a group of volunteers to lend a helping hand. The volunteers are themselves refugees, helping others. Partners says these volunteers live by one rule “Love your neighbour.” One volunteer, Bauk Ja, served families in the Pa Kahtawng refugee camp. Despite the loss of her home and her husband, she supported her “neighbour,” Lapai Sang Mai, who is a mother of six and lives with her mother-inlaw while her husband is at war. Partners, said Bauk Ja, arranged for people to stay at the clinic with Mai during labour. This allowed Mai’s mother-in-law to watch over the other children at home. Already over 150 volunteers have been trained. Altogether they are caring for nearly 8,000 internally displaced persons. Those who need food receive it. Those who are sick are cared for. And community is brought into a thrown-together refugee camp.

Source: Partners Relief; Prayer Alert

BIBLE STUDY: Luke 10:27

PRAISE God that His people are organising to help these people who have nothing. PRAY for an end to strife and for the Kingdom of God to be manifested.

Joy in Burma through God’s Word | 324 | Report 13

Most Christians in Myanmar (Burma) belong to ethnic minority groups. Despite improved conditions, many continue to suffer intense persecution for their ethnicity and faith. Sadly, soldiers continue to kidnap, rape and kill Kachin Christians. Many Christians are forced to flee their villages, losing all their meagre possessions, including their Bibles. Many have never owned a Bible. In Kachin State even many church leaders have no access to the written Word of God.

So when Burmese Christians receive a Bible of their own, they respond with great joy. Barnabas Fund has helped to distribute tens of thousands of Bibles in recent years. The following comment from a young man is typical of those who joyfully receive the Scriptures: “Although there were many difficulties in my life, since I received Jesus Christ, I can overcome the troubles with joy, because of His strength. Jesus is my shepherd. God has  delivered my life from death many times. I have never had a Bible of my own before… Thank you for making this free for me.”

Another recipient, a 24-year-old Christian woman, spoke of how precious her new Bible is for her, and shared her favourite Bible verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”  (Philippians 4:13).

Source: Barnabas Fund – Hope & Aid

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 119:70-76

PRAISE: God He has kept these people and is now giving the opportunity to study His Word. Pray that Myanmar believers will be strengthened with joy.

Joy in Burma through God’s Word | 324 | Report 13

Most Christians in Myanmar (Burma) belong to ethnic minority groups. Despite improved conditions, many continue to suffer intense persecution for their ethnicity and faith. Sadly, soldiers continue to kidnap, rape and kill Kachin Christians. Many Christians are forced to flee their villages, losing all their meagre possessions, including their Bibles. Many have never owned a Bible. In Kachin State even many church leaders have no access to the written Word of God.

So when Burmese Christians receive a Bible of their own, they respond with great joy. Barnabas Fund has helped to distribute tens of thousands of Bibles in recent years. The following comment from a young man is typical of those who joyfully receive the Scriptures: “Although there were many difficulties in my life, since I received Jesus Christ, I can overcome the troubles with joy, because of His strength. Jesus is my shepherd. God has  delivered my life from death many times. I have never had a Bible of my own before… Thank you for making this free for me.”

Another recipient, a 24-year-old Christian woman, spoke of how precious her new Bible is for her, and shared her favourite Bible verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”  (Philippians 4:13).

Source: Barnabas Fund – Hope & Aid

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 119:70-76

PRAISE: God He has kept these people and is now giving the opportunity to study His Word. Pray that Myanmar believers will be strengthened with joy.

© 2022 Speak Life at the Hour of Revival Association