Prayers rising for Myanmar following magnitude 7.7 earthquake

Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, has shared this pastoral message and prayer with the Church following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake impacted central Myanmar on Friday 28 March. The tremor was felt elsewhere, including in Thailand where at least 18 people lost their lives, and south-west China. As of 31 March, more than 1,700 people have died and more than 3,400 have been injured.

Pastoral Statement from President Rev Charissa Suli

Beloved Community of God,

My heart is heavy as I write to you following the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025. Reports tell us that more than 1,600 lives have been lost, thousands are injured, and many more are missing or trapped beneath the rubble. In Thailand, the tremors caused further damage and grief, especially in Bangkok and across the north.

We join with the global community in mourning. We lament the loss of life and the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and churches. We are deeply concerned for those who remain buried beneath collapsed buildings, and we give thanks for the courageous search and rescue workers who are risking everything to find survivors. Their persistence is a beacon of hope.

The devastating effects of this earthquake will be felt deeply by this vulnerable part of the world, which continues to suffer from ongoing civil war and is without the resources to respond effectively to disaster. We are encouraged by the rapid response from the international community. Nations including China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Russia, to name a few have sent aid and resources. These signs of solidarity remind us that love and compassion transcend borders.

As President of the Uniting Church in Australia, I want to affirm our commitment to our partners in the region. We are a proud member of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), a fellowship of churches and councils across Asia committed to justice, peace, and unity in Christ. Through the CCA, we are connected to this shared body of Christ, and when one part suffers, we all feel the pain. When one-part cries out, we are called to respond with prayer, presence, and practical support.

We are grateful for the letter from the General Secretary of the CCA, Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, which reassures us of the safety of their staff and calls on all member churches to unite in prayer and in giving. I encourage Uniting Church congregations and members to respond generously through UnitingWorld's disaster appeal.

In this season of Lent, we remember that God is close to the brokenhearted. May we be vessels of that compassion—through our prayers, our offerings, and our care for our neighbours in Myanmar and Thailand.  In this spirit, I encourage all Uniting Church communities to hold the people of Myanmar and Thailand in prayer, and to consider giving generously through trusted relief partners.

Below is a prayer I invite you to use in worship services, small groups, and personal reflection. Let us be united in our prayers for comfort, healing, and hope.

A Prayer for Myanmar and Thailand

Loving and faithful God,
You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Today we lift before you the people of Myanmar and Thailand,
those who mourn, those still waiting for news,
and those working around the clock to save lives in the midst of devastation.

We grieve the lives lost and the homes destroyed.
We pray for the injured, the displaced, and the traumatised.
Be their shelter in the storm, their light in the darkness, and their peace in the chaos.

We give thanks for the hands and hearts offering help—
for the emergency workers, medical teams, neighbours, and leaders
responding with courage and care.

We are grateful for nations who have extended help and support.
Bless their generosity and multiply the impact of every effort.

God of all peoples,
bind us together across oceans and cultures.
As members of your global Church, may we be a witness to your love in action.
Move our hearts to give, to pray, and to stand alongside our neighbours in need.
We pray all this in the name of Christ,
our hope and our healer.
Amen.

May our prayers rise as incense and may our actions reflect the deep compassion of Christ. In times of suffering, we are reminded of who we are called to be: a people woven together in love, committed to justice, mercy, and care for one another.

With grace and peace, Kelesi moe Melino,

Rev Charissa Suli
President, Uniting Church in Australia

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