Urgent prayer

The Lord is my light and my salvation...
For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will set me high on a rock….
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:1, 5, 14

Beloved sisters and brothers:

Our Mennonite World Conference siblings from Myanmar have asked for the prayers of our global communion. They write:

Our country's civil war has been ongoing for more than three years. The death toll is rising every day. More than half of the country is under the control of the revolutionary armies. The junta's military population has decreased, so a conscription law was introduced to increase the number of soldiers. Young men and women do not want to join the junta's army, so they are running away.

Wars are raging all over the country. The citizens are also suffering the consequences of the war. Inconvenient living conditions, lack of medicine, insufficient food; along with the people, the Mennonites are experiencing hardships, grief and lingering uncertainty. Children and the elderly are suffering greatly.

There has been fighting in the city of Kalay, where the Bible Missionary Church – Mennonite head office and two BMC congregations are located. Citizens have been ordered to leave the city to avoid aerial bombardment and fighting. Mennonite families are grieving and facing death and displacement.

As a global communion, MWC mourns with our brothers and sisters in Myanmar for the losses they have experienced and the ongoing trauma.

We weep for all who have been exposed to war and violence.

We pray for the Spirit of comfort and power to enfold the church members that they may be beacons of light and Christ’s peace to those around.

Lord, have mercy!
Look upon your suffering people in Myanmar with compassion.
Bind up the wounded bodies and souls in this civil war.
Minister your comfort to hungry bellies and spirits craving peace.
Bring courage and steadfastness to resist powers of domination and abuse.

As a world-wide community of faith and life we transcend boundaries of nationality, race, class, gender and language. We seek to live in the world without conforming to the powers of evil, witnessing to God’s grace by serving others, caring for creation, and inviting all people to know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
—Shared Convictions #7

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, amen.

Henk Stenvers, President