Kachins pray for God’s help when fighting stronger enemy

Kachins pray for God’s help when fighting stronger enemy
by -
KNG

Kachin people in northern Burma are praying for God’s help in their war against the repressive military-backed Burmese government, which is a stronger enemy, according to Kachin church leaders.

Fasting and a 24-hour circular prayer service ended at Monday mid-night. It was conducted by the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), the largest Kachin church group, with over 400,000 followers, according to pastors.

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The prayer service was held in churches under the KBC inside the country, as well as the controlled-area of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

Rev. Lahpai Shing Rip, Pastor of the Baptist Church in the KIO-capital, Laiza, told the Thailand-based Kachin News Group, “It is impossible for us to defeat the Burmese Army, which has much stronger manpower and weapons than we Kachin, without help from Almighty God.”

A special prayer service in Laiza for the triumph of the Kachin revolution and the men and women of the KIO, and its armed-wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), is held on the first Saturday of every month, Rev. Shing Rip said.

It is unusual that KIO/KIA leaders believe they cannot win the battle without God, added the Pastor.

Under the political and military leadership of the KIO/KIA, the Christian minority in Buddhist-dominated Burma has fought against successive Buddhist Burman-led central governments for self-determination, since 1961.

The war began because Kachin State was ruled by the majority ethnic Burmans after the Union of Burma received independence from the British in 1948.

After a 17 year ceasefire failed to result in a political solution, the Burmese government, led by ex-general, U Thein Sein, began a military offensive against the KIO/KIA on June 9, aimed at the elimination of the Kachin people.