Weekly Prayer Update
Friday, April 3, 2026
One Year After Earthquake, Ministry Continues in Myanmar
One year after a massive earthquake impacted Myanmar, killing more than 5,000 people, families and communities are still rebuilding and recovering. For some, ongoing conflict in the country, economic struggles, and climate crises have complicated the recovery process. In addition, millions are displaced in the country due to instability and violence.
After the quake, Nazarene leaders in Myanmar quickly mobilized to help their neighbors. Churches provided food, clean water, spiritual care, and trauma support to children. Since then, some churches have become homes for children who have been separated from their parents due to displacement or for children who have been orphaned.
“Food relief was provided to vulnerable families, local pastors, congregation members, refugees, and others in the communities our churches serve,” reported a church leader. “This aid has been a beacon of hope and a testament to the resilience and faith of those we reach. Let us continue to praise God for His faithfulness and the strength He provides as we walk through these challenging times together.”
Lord, we pray for the people of Myanmar, and for the local churches that are extending your love and care through compassionate ministries. We lift up children who are living through trauma and displacement. Encourage families who have yet to return home after the earthquake or who live where violence makes it too unsafe to stay home. Bring peace and stability to Myanmar. Lord, hear our prayers.
Continued Support for Congolese Refugees in Burundi
At the end of 2025, hundreds of thousands of Congolese refugees, most of them women and children, fled to Burundi for safety after the conflict escalated in the South Kivu area. While 33,000 refugees have returned to the DRC in recent weeks, the United Nations reports that approximately 109,000 Congolese remain in Burundi. The humanitarian needs of this population are high, and Nazarenes in Burundi have organized multiple times to provide relief.
On March 11, a distribution in the Cibitoke refugee camp provided 91 households, particularly those with children or elderly members, with emergency food assistance, helping meet basic nutritional needs across the refugee community. The food packs included rice, beans, maize, water, cooking oil, and soap. In addition, church volunteers offered encouragement, prayers, and counseling for those struggling with their displacement and hardship.
Deep challenges remain; church leaders note difficulties transporting goods to the camp, rising food costs, and the overwhelming needs the refugee families are facing. Despite the obstacles, these leaders are committed to supporting and encouraging these families with the love of Christ.
Lord, we thank you for the way that Nazarenes in Burundi have repeatedly shown your love to those who fled to their communities for safety. Bring peace to DRC and protect these refugees. May we, too, when we encounter those in our own communities who arrive looking for a new place to call home, respond like these churches: with hospitality, comfort, and help. Give us hearts that beat with compassion for people in need. Lord, hear our prayers.
Praising God for Holistic Child Development in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, a Nazarene child development center is improving the lives of the 30 children it serves through spiritual, physical, educational, and social support. During the past year, the project has navigated significant challenges, including high inflation and harsh climate conditions that have strained resources and increased vulnerability. As economic pressures have grown, the center has stepped in to meet rising needs, supporting school fees for children whose parents have lost their jobs and providing supplementary nutrition for families facing food insecurity.
Parent engagement has increased this past year, with many families more actively involved in their children’s growth through regular updates, workshops, and community activities. A growing garden project is providing fresh, nutritious produce while creating educational and community opportunities.
A community member shared their thoughts about the ministry of the center:
“I am thrilled to share with you the impact that the children's [development center] has had on our community. Before the [center] started, our community was plagued by poverty, lack of education, and limited opportunities for our children. However, since the project began, we have seen a significant transformation.
The project has provided our children with access to quality education, healthcare, and nutrition. The children are now confident, happy, and eager to learn. The program has also empowered our community members with skills and knowledge to improve their livelihoods. I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that the project has had on our community. [It] has brought hope, joy, and a sense of purpose to our community.”
Lord, we praise you for how this local church and development center are impacting children in Zimbabwe. Through the body of believers, may all members of the community come to discover your unending love and grace. Continue to guide each child and teenager as they grow. May they develop their unique gifts and discover who you have called them to be. Protect each student. May this center continue to serve as a witness to the life and hope found in you. Lord, hear our prayers.