Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Myanmar and Mexico

Worldwide Prayer Concerns

“But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.” Hebrews 10:32-33

MYANMAR

Please continue praying for the nation of Myanmar as it suffers under the repression of the military junta. This recent crackdown is especially heartbreaking after the ways Myanmar had been changing for the better over the past decade.

The military first seized power in a 1962 coup, ruling continuously until 2011. In the past, the military has been willing to be ruthless in order to preserve its power. For example, in 1988, they responded to protests with mass arrests and martial law. But the early 2000s seemed to bring about real change, as political prisoners were released and various reforms filtered through. The election of Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party to parliament in 2012 signaled what seemed to be a new era for Myanmar. Thousands were removed from the blacklist and independent newspapers began publishing for the first time in half a century. In 2016, the NLD party won enough seats in parliament to form a government, displacing allies of the military.

But though the 2020 elections resulted in another decisive win for the NLD, the military is claiming the results were fraudulent and staged another coup, arresting Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders. The military has indicated that they plan to control the government for at least a year. Essential workers in areas such as health care and infrastructure have staged a general strike and citizens are marching in the streets to demand the military step down. These protests have been met with violence by the authorities, leading to injuries and deaths. Other protesters have been arrested in the middle of the night. A new law will punish protesters with up to 20 years in prison. Power and internet outages are used to limit communication and mobility. Tanks are rolling through major cities as the military desperately attempts to enforce its will. Other more frightening reports are emerging of children being drugged and forced to commit arson or other heinous acts; and dangerous criminals being released from incarceration in order to sow chaos in a community.

All of this is especially disheartening for young adults who grew up seeing democracy on the rise in Myanmar and were hopeful for the future of their country. The new Roberts Mission School was something that was only possible because of the relaxing of government controls on education.

Pray that the Holy Spirit would work in a powerful way to convict the hearts of the military leaders of the injustice they are perpetuating and convince them to peacefully step aside. Pray that God would provide a peaceful resolution to this crisis so that the citizens of Myanmar would not have to continue to suffer at the hands of the military. (The BBC has a good timeline here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-12992883)

MEXICO

Pray for our ABC Global Servant Jae Stockton, who was recently commissioned for service at the Baja Baptist Seminary in Mexicali. She will be using her information technology skills to help students and staff at the campus, as well as assisting with an online Masters program that is offering the expertise of Palmer Seminary to pastors in the region. In addition, she will be working to support the seminary with evangelism and discipleship. Praise God for the 100% of support that has been raised and for her successful commissioning. Pray that her skills would bless the seminary and its students.

- Jonathan Peske