Pray for Myanmar
Learn about and pray for Myanmar in just 5 minutes per week!
Receive one email per week for 13 weeks about Myanmar’s history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.
WEEK 1
Prayercast
Pray along with a local believer for their nation.
WEEK 2
Operation World
Pray through Operation World's country profile.
WEEK 3
World Watch List
Pray through the country's persecution profile.
WEEKS 4-13
People Groups
Pray for the country's 10 largest unreached people groups.
Introduction
Myanmar, the largest Southeast Asian nation with a rich cultural heritage, endures a complex history marked by military control and conflict.
This diverse land boasts over 2,200 ancient Buddhist temples in Bagan.
Myanmar gained independence in 1948 but endured military rule from 1962 to 2011. The military’s influence persists, exploiting natural resources, leading to economic hardship, and contributing to HIV/AIDS.
The Rohingya crisis, one of the largest human exoduses since the Vietnam War, is a painful chapter.
Myanmar’s population comprises Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims, with millions unreached. Religious freedom is limited, leading to harassment and persecution. Despite these challenges, the Church thrives, and indigenous believers continue sharing their faith, even among Buddhist monks.
Read on to learn how you can pray for Myanmar.
Fast Facts
Capital City: Naypyidaw
Population: 54 million (83% unreached)
People Groups: 149
10/40 Window: Yes
Major People Groups: 53% Burmese (Bamar); 8% Shan (Tai Yai, Tai Long); 4% Rakhine (Arakanese)
Major Religions: Buddhist 76%, Ethnic religions 8%, Christian 8%, Muslim 4%, Hindu 2%
Language: Burmese, Shan, Rakhine
GDP Per Capita: $4,500
Literacy Rate: 89%
Did you know? Myanmar is home to the Shwedagon Pagoda, a massive gold-plated stupa in Yangon, and over 2,200 ancient temples in Bagan.
Pray for the unreached people groups of Myanmar
Myanmar is home to around 150 people groups. While around 100 of those people groups are considered reached, the remaining 50 make up 83% of the population.
Below are the 10 largest unreached people groups in Myanmar:
| Name | Religion | Population |
| 1. Burmese | Buddhism | 31,273,000 |
| 2. Tai Man, Shan | Buddhism | 4,537,000 |
| 3. Rakhine | Buddhism | 2,580,000 |
| 4. Mon | Buddhism | 1,146,000 |
| 5. Han Chinese | Buddhism | 982,000 |
| 6. Pa-O | Buddhism | 866,000 |
| 7. Rohingya | Islam | 604,000 |
| 8. Dawei (Tavoyan) | Buddhism | 458,000 |
| 9. Nepali | Hinduism | 296,000 |
| 10. Pale Palaung | Buddhism | 293,000 |
Pray for Christians being persecuted
Myanmar is ranked #17 on the 2024 World Watch List published by Open Doors.
Persecution of Christians in Myanmar has worsened since the 2021 military coup.
Government forces have attacked Christian villages and churches, killing Christian aid workers and pastors. Fighting continues, and more Christians than ever are living in camps without adequate food and healthcare, having been forced from their homes.
New believers face opposition from Buddhist, Muslim or tribes. Communities aiming to stay ‘Buddhist only’ sometimes even deny Christians water.
World Watch List
You can learn about Christian persecution and pray for our brothers and sisters who being persecuted around the world by praying through the Open Doors’ World Watch List.
“[God] has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
Pray for Myanmar
“Slow drip” your learning and prayers for Myanmar: its history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.