London Set to Hold Day of Prayer for Burma

The 2007 Day of Prayer for Burma will be held at St Michael's Church, Chester Square, London on Saturday 10 March. The event will form part of a global prayer initiative for Burma.

Speakers include John Bercow MP, who will be speaking on the British Government's Burma policy, and John Perry, former Anglican Bishop of Chelmsford and Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Deputy Chairman.

Representatives from the Karen, Karenni and Chin ethnic groups will also share their experiences and provide a taste of their cultural heritage.

Benedict Rogers, author of the recent report 'Carrying the Cross: the military regime's campaign of restriction, discrimination and persecution against Christians in Burma' has just returned from a visit to the region where he visited Karen internally displaced people (IDPs) and the Mon people.

Rogers will speak at the Day of Prayer event and other presentations will include an overview and update of the state of human rights in the country, and resettlement and health-related issues in Burma.

Burma has been ruled by a military dictatorship since 1962. There are an estimated one million people internally displaced inside Burma, while an estimated 10,000 people a year are killed by the Burma Army.

The Day of Prayer has been arranged by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), Karen Aid, the Karen Action Group and the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People.

Stuart Windsor, CSW's National Director, said: "Alongside campaigning and lobbying activities, the power of intercession is indispensable when seeking peace and healing in this suffering nation. I fervently urge as many people as possible to join us in prayer to win this spiritual battle for the people of Burma."