Christians in Myanmar need supporting in prayer as the country’s military (Tatmadaw) has placed restrictions on church services and other religious activities in Hakha, capital of Christian-majority Chin State.
On 22 April the Tatmadaw ordered a ban on all assemblies of more than five persons for religious gatherings in the city in response to an attack by militia on a convoy carrying government ministers.
The ruling Myanmar military has imposed restrictions on religious activities, including Sunday services, in Hakha following the attack on 12 April.
“In Chin State, every family has more than five family members,” one church spokesperson observed, “So, gathering and praying can be affected under the new order.”
The order will be in force for two months, until 22 June.
Since 2 February 2023, seven townships in the state have been under martial law, with a curfew imposed and gatherings of more than five persons banned. That same month the military authorities issued an order for Christians to submit a list of all those attending church services.
Around of 85 percent of the 478,000 population of the mountainous and impoverished Chin State are Christians.
Pray that Christians in Hakha and throughout Chin State will grow in resilience as they find ways to share fellowship despite the tightening of restrictions. Ask that the authorities will recognise the unworkable nature of such bans and that they will be retracted.
