At mid-day on Friday, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit war-torn Myanmar, wounding nearly 4,000 and killing at least 2,056, with some 300 or so people still missing in the rubble. Estimates say thousands more could be dead, but without infrastructure or access to affected areas, we may not know the total death toll for some time.
About 700 Muslims who had gathered for mid-day prayers during Ramadan died when mosques crumbled to the ground. In Mandalay, some 300 Buddhist monks were buried beneath a monastery; 50 died, 70 escaped and about 150 are still missing. A collapsed preschool killed 50 children. Thailand has also suffered, with about 18 dead, 33 injured and 78 missing so far.
International rescue teams from Russia, China, India and other countries have arrived in Myanmar (formerly Burma) to help, but with a lack of heavy machinery, most rescuers must search by hand in temperatures of more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius).
All this has happened in the midst of four years of civil war, which has devastated most of the country and killed more than 24,000 civilians in endless burnings, bombings and other assaults on hospitals, schools, churches, internally displaced (IDP) camps and whole villages. More than three million people have been displaced and perhaps 20 million are in need because of the fighting.
Mere hours after the temblor hit, reports emerged that the ruling military junta had mercilessly carried out air strikes in the rebel-inhabited areas of the quake zone.
Read more about Christians persecuted by both Buddhists and the junta, how rebel minority armies are taking back Myanmar, and the thousands of Buddhists and others coming to faith in Christ. See a powerful video showing the miraculous hand of God at work in the midst of war at our dedicated Pray for Myanmar page:
Pray for Myanmar
Lord, please have mercy on Myanmar and other areas affected by this earthquake. Rescue those who are trapped, heal the wounded and comfort those who mourn. Give rescuers from China, India and Russia strength, endurance and wisdom in the intense heat. Make a way for them to meet Christians and work alongside them in the rescues, so they can see their love and Your Spirit at work in their lives and long for You. Guide rescuers to survivors who are trapped, and give them wisdom to know how to safely rescue them. Bring Christian aid workers to minister to those in need and share the good news of Your salvation. Open up the air waves so radio broadcasts can bring in Your messages of love and truth. Make Bibles available to every person in a way they can easily understand. Lord, some 52 unreached people groups in Myanmar still have never heard the gospel. Give them a hunger for Truth and make the way where there seems to be no way for all to hear Your plan for their salvation. Strengthen every Christian in Burma, and provide for all their needs so abundantly they will also give abundantly to their neighbors in need and share Your love with them. Some reports say bombings have continued. Please have mercy, Lord, and bring a quick and right end to the war. Open the way for Your good news to travel far and wide, into every village and IDP camp, no matter how remote, demolished or forgotten. You know where every heart is and just what they need. Perform signs and miracles and wonders to point all eyes to You. And bring forth a Great Awakening, with millions coming to faith in Myanmar, Thailand and the other countries all around them.
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