4 March 2021
NCCA RELEASES SOLIDARITY PRAYER WITH THE PEOPLES OF MYANMAR
In this season of Lent when the Church throughout the world is fasting and praying, solidarity prayers for the people of Myanmar are requested.
Bishop Philip Huggins, President of National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has written a prayer that Australian churches and Christians can pray in solidarity with the peaceful, non-violent protesters calling for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.
“Gracious God - guide us, we pray, in your compassion, as to how we might best assist in these days ahead” writes Bishop Huggins.
Anglican Archbishop of Myanmar, Rev Stephen Than Myint Oo, has urged Christians to get down on their knees and pray until it hurts in the wake of street protests that have rocked Myanmar’s cities since the 1 February 2021 military coup. The archbishop has also urged the police to stand with the people.
Cardinal Charles Bo, Catholic Archbishop of Yangon, appealed to the peoples of Myanmar in a message after the coup. “Pray for all, pray for everything. Let us not continue hatred at this moment when we struggle for dignity and truth.”
Followers of all religions in Myanmar - Buddhists, Christians, Muslims and Hindus – have joined hundreds of peaceful anti-coup protests nationwide. Messages of global solidarity are being expressed through social media.
The NCCA prayer is released to Australia’s churches and Christians after weekend protests across Myanmar turned deadly with the killing of 23 people by armed police on 28 February.
Gracious God,
Your compassion for us draws forth our compassion for one another.
Our compassionate hearts encompass now the people of Myanmar.
We pray there is no further unnecessary suffering.
We pray for those already grieving.
We pray for the healing of those who are wounded.
We pray for wise national and international leadership so that this crisis does not deteriorate further.
We pray for the peacemakers that their work can flourish.
We pray for those in military leadership, including General Min Aung Hiaing and those of the elected government, including Aung San Suu Kyi. May there yet be a break-through to a new beginning amongst those who love their nation.
We pray for the diaspora community of Myanmar and for ourselves as people enriched by their contribution to our Australia.
Guide us, we pray, in your compassion, as to how we might best assist in these days ahead.
This prayer and much that is in our hearts, we gather and pray in Jesus Holy Name.
Amen.
Download the NCCA Solidarity Prayer for Myanmar 4 March 2021
General Secretaries of WCC and CCA denounce Myanmar military's action
Read: General Secretaries of WCC and CCA denounce Myanmar military's continued lethal action against the people (4 March 2021)
