Pray for Thailand on Sunday, October 12, 2014

Lectionary Selection: Exodus 32:1–14

Prayers for Thailand:
Gracious God, we come together and lift up the life and work of the Thai people. We ask that you surround each one of them with your love. Lord, we pray for those most vulnerable in Thai society. We pray for the undocumented, the street workers, the sexually exploited, the abused and broken. We pray that they may find love and compassion each day as they face their life situation. God, we ask that each person be reminded of the value they hold as a person; each one of them is sacred, precious and beloved in your eyes. We ask for prayers for The Church of Christ in Thailand that they might find strength to be a prophetic voice in the wake of political turmoil. We look with hope that dialogue with our Buddhist counterparts may begin and that an interfaith dialogue may occur, each learning more about themselves and the other. Precious Creator, guide the work of the church to take up issues facing Thai society and issues the church should work to fight against, particularly in the areas of human exploitation. Guide the church to take a stand and support the survivors and victims of forced labor migration and sexual trafficking. Because we know we must work and be one with “the least of these,” we look to you for guidance and strength. Amen.

Mission Stewardship Moment from Thailand:
My work with The Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) is focused on Child Protection and Human Trafficking. The CCT is the largest protestant denomination within The Kingdom of Thailand. The Christian population of Thailand is only about 1% of the population with the majority of other Thai people identifying themselves as Buddhist. The issue of child sex exploitation and forced labor migration is a critical issue that Thai society is currently facing. We are reading stories daily in local press outlets of people being forced into 21st century slavery.

Your generous support of my appointment allows the Church of Christ in Thailand to be better equipped to deal with this issue and the effects of this issue on the church. Your support allows the CCT to develop policies within the church to fight for universal child protection. Most of all your support gives a voice to the voiceless, allowing survivors to tell their stories of captivity and the horrendous conditions forced upon them. Each time I meet with a survivor they thank me for listening to their story and are always thankful that others are educated on what is happening not only in Thailand but all over Southeast Asia.

The Church of Christ in Thailand hopes to become a leader in the churches response to child protection and sexual exploitation for the churches in Southeast Asia. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) is the full regional economic integration of the ten Southeast Asian Nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand) in 2015. The AEC looks towards a single economic market, and equitable economic development. It also means a visa free policy for all nationals of these countries within ASEAN, this also means that nationals of ASEAN member countries can travel freely over the borders for work. It is a major and serious change in Southeast Asia. Many people are afraid of what might occur as you have two of the richest countries in the world (Singapore and Brunei) in a joint economic community with two of the poorest (Laos and Cambodia). This is equitable to the formation of the European Union, but in Southeast Asia. The CCT anticipates an even greater responsibility to educate others about human rights abuses. I ask for your prayers of protection and support as I continue my work with the CCT.

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Adam Royston)

Mission Partners in Thailand:

More information on Thailand:
http://globalministries.org/sasia/countries/thailand/

Global Ministries Missionary in Thailand:
Adam Royston serves as a Global Mission Intern with The Church of Christ in Thailand working on issues related to Child Protection and Human Trafficking. His appointment is supported by Week of Compassion, Disciples’ Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission and your special gifts.