Pray with Thailand, January 21, 2024
Lectionary Selection: Mark 1:14-20
Prayers from Thailand
Almighty God, we thank you for calling us to be your witnesses in Thailand.
Lord, be in our midst as we come together to pray for Thailand.
Protect our country from division and bring peace and justice to Thailand.
Lord, amid the darkness, help enslaved women, children, and adults see a glimmer of hope. Lead them to freedom and help them find a new life eternally on this earth. Help our leaders and lawmakers confront the evils of human trafficking with robust policies and prosecution.
O Lord, shine your light and equip Christians and churches in Thailand so that they can bear witness to the Gospel in the ways that are appropriate in Thai cultures and society. May they have integrity as they testify to the abundant life made available in Jesus Christ.
O Lord, make the churches in Thailand your instrument for bringing love, sustaining life, and ushering in your peace.
May the Thai people find the source of life in Jesus Christ.
May the blessing that we have received from the triune God go with us on our journey.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen
Mission Moment from Thailand
Thailand means “land of the free,” yet it is home to many who live in bondage. Despite a relatively stable and industrialized economy, internal and cross-border migration, human trafficking, drugs, and organized crime are rampant.
Christianity was introduced in Thailand by the Catholic missionaries as early as 1550. In 1828, God led protestant missionaries to respond to the call to spread the Gospel in the country. The mission of the Protestant missionaries was blessed with the founding of an indigenous church, the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT), in 1934. Historically, it has played a significant role in the modernization of Thailand. These activities included evangelism, church planting, nurturing of believers, Bible teaching, and providing education and health care. Attention was also given to social sustainable development and enhancing justice and peace.
The CCT is very involved in society, believing this is an important part of its Christian witness in a predominantly Buddhist country. Thus, as of 2023, CCT runs 28 primary and secondary schools, two universities, three international schools, two theological seminaries, five Bible schools, and eight hospitals.
The CCT plays an important role in developing Thailand’s musical life. Social work is carried out in the slum communities of Bangkok, and various agricultural and community sustainable development programs are conducted in rural communities.
In conjunction with local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and interfaith partners, the CCT organized basic human rights and humanitarian work in poor and marginalized communities among refugees and migrant workers from neighboring countries.
The CCT has already made and is making substantial contributions to health education and care. It is also involved in HIV/AIDS and child abuse awareness education and in providing a holistic, caring ministry to both sufferers and their families.
Currently, the CCT is a member of a national committee representing all Protestant groups in Thailand and seeks to foster interreligious understanding and dialogue. It is also a member of global and regional organizations, namely the World Council of Churches (WCC), World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), and the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).
Prayer and Mission Moment written by Dr. Prawate Khid-arn AGS for Ecumenical Relations, The Church of Christ in Thailand
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