Rival groups of soldiers are engaged in conflict with reports of an attempted coup.
Unrest began after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he was running for a third term. Opposition leaders claim he shouldn't be allowed.
Coup leaders say they've taken charge of key areas but soldiers loyal to the President say they're back in control.
Simon Guillebaud (GIL-BO) heads up a number of Christian projects in Burundi including Great Lakes Outreach and is in earshot of the fighting.
Speaking to Premier, he said people don't really know what's going on: "I put earplugs in because there's no point listening to too much shooting during the night, but even through the earplugs I woke up for a few hours of shelling and grenades.
"Then on Twittershpere you get to hear what's going on. Basically there's a vacuum of leadership and confusion right now. We don't know whether the coup attempt was successful or not."
He's calling on Christians in the UK to pray for Burundi. He said: "Pray that peace would hold, that the conflict is not ethicised...pray for a speedy resolution to this conflict that is broadly acceptable.
"Pray that the Church would have a God-honouring role in this and would be an active voice in promoting peace."
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has raised concern over the situation. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said "We are following from here with great concern developments on the ground in Burundi.
"He (Moon) reminds all Burundian leaders of the need to preserve peace and stability in a country that has suffered so grievously from previous bouts of violence."
The UN says it will continue to monitor the situation.
Listen to Simon Guillebaud speaking with Premier's Marcus Jones: