“LORD is the Rock and Redeemer of Myanmar.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer(Psalms 19:14,NIV).
》 Country Profile
Continent | Southeast Asia
Population | 57.97 million
Area | 676,578㎢ Located in southwestern Asia between India, China, and Thailand.
Capital City | Naypyidaw (5.51 million people)
Poeple Groups | 149 total Burmese 57.4%, Shan 8.3%, Karen 6.2%, Rakhine 5%, Mon-Khmer 2.1%, Chinese 2%, Indian 2%
Unreached People Groups | 52 (83.4% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Burmese (Myanmar)
Total Languages | 137
Bible translations | Completed 61, New Testament 20, Partial 17
Religion | Christianity 8.3% (Protestant 5%, Independent church 1.3%), Buddhism 78%, Ethnic religions 6.9%, Islam 4.8%, Hinduism 1.5% Evangelical 4.9% 2.81 million people
》 About Myanmar
Myanmar, originally centered around the Bamar people, traces its history back to the “Early Bagan Dynasty,” founded in 849 AD by people who migrated south from China’s Yunnan Province. Myanmar became a British colony in 1885 and was part of British India. It separated from India in 1937 to become a British-controlled territory and gained full independence in 1948. In 1962, General Ne Win led a coup that began decades of military rule.
In response to the military government, citizens staged the “8888 Uprising” on August 8, 1988. Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the democracy movement, was placed under house arrest. Although her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won the 1990 election, the military annulled the results and Aung San Suu Kyi spent 15 years under house arrest. In 2015, the NLD’s victory ended 53 years of military dictatorship, but after winning again in the 2020 election, the military claimed fraud and launched a coup in February 2021. The military arrested NLD leaders and transferred power to General Min Aung Hlaing, marking a return to military rule. In the ensuing protests, more than 2,000 people were killed and thousands were detained.
Myanmar’s economy has about 26% of its population living in poverty. The government has focused on improving agricultural productivity, accelerating land reforms, modernizing and opening the financial sector, and developing transportation and electricity infrastructure. Until 2020, Myanmar had potential for foreign investment in energy, textiles, IT, and food and beverage sectors, thanks to its abundant natural resources and young workforce. However, the military coup and COVID-19 have reversed economic progress, leaving the people struggling with severe challenges in food security, health, and education. Myanmar’s GDP per capita is approximately $4,500
》 Scripture Focus
| Psalms 19:9-14(NIV) 9. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Protestant missions began in Myanmar over 210 years ago. Despite the strong barriers of Buddhism and military rule, we give thanks that the church has remained faithful. Most churches are small and located among minority groups, but they continue to follow God’s Word with strong faith even in persecution. Many denominations are divided by nominalism and authority.
Let us pray that the church in Myanmar will long for the gospel more than gold and unite through the cross. May the church stand firm on the Rock, their Redeemer, and bring about a great revival in Myanmar.
2. Foreign missionaries are involved in relief work, rehabilitation, and continuing theological education and discipleship training. Some mission groups focus on serving the poor, orphans, AIDS patients, and drug addicts. Due to the 2021 coup and COVID-19, most missionaries had to leave Myanmar. Despite this, the small Myanmar churches are stepping up to care for the wounded and serve their neighbors. Since the military coup in 2021, persecution and violence against Myanmar’s churches and pastors have intensified.
Let us pray for the small number of Christians and remaining missionaries to continue serving souls and saving lives through the gospel.
3. The Burmese people make up 57% of Myanmar’s population, but only a small number are Christians. The gospel needs to be actively shared with smaller Buddhist groups like the Arakanese, Rakhine, Palaung, Mon, and Shan, as well as with many animist and Hindu groups, and the Chinese community. Let’s pray that the light of the gospel will shine into their hearts, leading them to recognize the sins of idolatry and all wrongdoing. May they be freed from the grip of sin and restored to follow Jesus Christ, living under the grace of the cross.
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