Pray for: Thailand

Thailand was traditionally a stable country in a troubled region. From time to time, power struggles emerge between political parties. Occasionally these bring the nation to a halt, until the military steps in. Traditionally, the royal family enjoyed highly revered status – a status quickly eroding under the current monarch. Violent activity among Muslims in the south at times brings further upheaval. Widespread corruption in business, politics, the military, and the police allows dishonest people to make themselves rich by oppressing others. Thailand means “Land of the Free”, because it remained free when Western powers colonized the countries around it. Yet the land remains captive to Buddhism, traditional culture, spirit worship, and even occult practices. Pray for spiritual breakthrough, so that the Thai might truly be free in the Lord Jesus.

Thai Christians remain around 1% of the population, even after 400 years of missionary work. Most of Thailand’s churches are small (30-50 members). More than 6,000 of Thailand’s 7,415 sub-districts have no church! Nearly half of Protestants come from tribal groups (less than 5% of Thailand’s population), and not ethnic Thais. A lack of Thai leadership in the churches is one reason for slow church growth. Praise God that national leaders now have a bold goal to reach every one of Thailand’s 80,000 villages and neighbourhoods with the gospel! Pray for their plans: a national prayer network, leadership development, extensive research, community development ministry, all in addition to evangelism. Many church and mission leaders feel Thailand is ready for a breakthrough of church growth.