“Jesus was clear from the start. Identifying with Him, believing in Him, simply talking about Him would all come at a cost.” – Open Doors
Many members of the early church paid the ultimate price for following Jesus. History is filled with stories of their courageous and costly witness for Christ. But being a martyr (Greek for “witness”) is not just a thing of the past. According to Open Doors, more than 380 million Christians are currently facing persecution for their faith.
This can take many forms–legal discrimination, job loss, excommunication from family, and even physical assaults. In February 2025, for instance, a savage attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resulted in the beheading of seventy believers. In June 2025, at least 218 Christians were killed and more than 6,000 displaced by Islamic attacks. In September 2025, nearly one hundred more believers were killed in the DRC.
The Mennonite Brethren family has not been exempt from this growing wave of opposition. Earlier this year, we received word from one of our MB pastors that soldiers had come into his village in Rakhine State, Myanmar, and stolen everyone’s possessions. The soldiers then set fire to all the houses, and confiscated the pastor’s motorcycle.
“We grieve with our Myanmar brothers and sisters who have lost so much but we also thank God that no one was killed in the recent attacks,” a Multiply leader says. “Everyone arrived safely after walking for three days to the next village. When the traumatized villagers arrived, our MB family in that village was ready to welcome them in, feeding them and praying for them.”
Myanmar’s treatment of Christians has become increasingly violent. A military coup in 2021 and ongoing political turmoil have resulted in surging waves of persecution. Believers make up less than 10% of the population, yet last year 40,000 Christians were forced to leave their homes.
As the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar worsens, pastors report that there is an unprecedented open door for believers to share the love of Jesus Christ with Buddhist people. “Thousands of internally displaced people are discovering that Jesus is the Living God who answers prayer and brings hope to those who have lost everything,” a key national leader shares. “Even though our Myanmar pastors and evangelists live in constant danger, they are praising God that more than one hundred Buddhist and Animist people responded to the Good News of Jesus Christ over the last few months, and have chosen to be baptized! Hallelujah! The love of Christ really is good news!”
Following Paul’s example, we can remember our brothers and sisters as they face persecution, making mention of them in our prayers (Ephesians 1:16). Please join us in lifting up this Multiply leader’s prayer:
Father God, thank You for Your amazing grace that comes to those who are poor in spirit in Myanmar and throughout our world. Our eyes well up with tears of joy as we see so many hopeless people receive forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life.
Jesus, we intercede for those who are fleeing war and violence every day. We pray especially for those who are without medicine, doctors or clinics. Where can people go for healing and comfort except to You?
God of all compassion and love, we pray for mothers, young women, and children. Protect them from the violence and terror of the evil one. Send Your angels to protect them.
Holy Spirit, we ask that You would help Your disciples to be a beacon of hope and courage, providing protection to the vulnerable in a land torn apart by hatred and violence. Thank You, Lord, for the love and generosity of the church, for the boldness of our Myanmar evangelists, and for helping the church provide food and shelter to desperate people fleeing the violence of war.
In Myanmar, in DRC, and in every corner of the world where your disciples are paying a severe price to follow You, may Your Kingdom come and your will be done, just as it is in heaven.
Amen!
GO
Is God calling you to join HIm in reaching the unreached in the difficult corners of the earth? Explore His invitation through SOAR, ACTION, TREK, and FOCUS.
