Shan-Tai prayer month, day 5

A Shan baptism

Existing churches in Burma (Myanmar) are grudgingly tolerated by the authorities, but many of them have been warned that they must not grow or will face ‘repercussions’ from the government. Between harassment from local authorities, restrictions on the use of church buildings and discrimination from fellow villagers, church members and even pastors are reluctant to evangelize. Evangelism is difficult because people are afraid that conversion will mean loss of livelihood and/or safety so do not trust the strange new religion. The pressures on Shan Christians are immense, we who live in easy, open nations owe it to them to give our prayers in support of the kingdom of God in their land.

Pray for:

• Divine strength and endurance for the believers as they experience persecution from threatening communities (Acts 12:3-11).
• God to grant boldness to believers to speak and act upon their faith with conviction (Acts 4:29-31).

I find it very difficult to ask God to give Shan Christians boldness to evangelize knowing it will lead to more suffering for them when I am afraid to evangelize myself in case I am ridiculed. To pray honestly I must also ask God to transform my own heart so that love for Him overwhelms my self love and fear.