Myanara

Myanmar

Myanmaris traditionally Buddhist, but the gospel has made inroads. The government actively promotes Buddhism and persecutes Christians, but the number of believers has continued to grow.

Myanmaris located in Southeast Asia on the Bay of Bengal. It shares borders with Thailand, Laos, China, India, and Bangladesh, but a horseshoe shaped range of mountains effectively isolates the country from its neighbors.

Approximately 42 million people live in Myanmar. Burmese is the majority people group, but there is a large number of ethnic minorities. Tensions with the minority groups have long been a source of civil unrest.

A wealth of natural resources provide great potential for economic development, but the economy has never effectively grown. Years of government corruption and civil unrest impoverished the people. Meanwhile, a thriving black market exports huge amounts of opium for illicit drug production.

Myanmargained independence from Britain in 1948 under a centralized military government. When multi-party elections were finally held in 1990, the opposition party won in a landslide but was never allowed to take power. To this day, the military still controls the country and actively suppresses the ethnic minorities.

Buddhism is no longer the official state religion, but its practice is strongly encouraged by the government. Nearly all Burmese people are Buddhist. However, a significant number of minorities have come to Christ. Over 5% of the population is classified as evangelical.

Christians are routinely persecuted as the government associates the ethnic minorities with the practice of Christianity, but the gospel has a strong base. Persecution has made the church stronger.

Pray for the churches and for native pastors who are well trained. Liberal theology has crept into a few of the Bible schools. Pray for continued boldness in witness in the face of persecution. The Burmese people have shown an openness to the gospel. Pray that more would come to Christ.

Bibles and other Christian literature are in short supply. Imports are severely limited by the government. Most of what is available is printed in the country. Many languages still need a Bible translation. Pray for the provision of more translators and the means to print and distribute Bibles.

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