Prayer is a huge part of our life here in Pattaya – the devil has a stronghold on this city that is powerful and we believe that prayer is our best defense. The Lord has been laying on my heart the need for prayer walking the streets that are covered with the bars and for the women. So Tuesday night we were down near Walking Street doing ministry and we had a break. (Just a preface) Walking Street is a street where hundreds of bars line the street and the adjoining streets. We haven’t spent much time on the street late at night. But the Lord called us to pray and we had to obey.
Christy and I headed out about 9pm and began walking down the street praying. Honestly, sometimes I have no idea what to pray. The needs are so great in this place and the problems are so overwhelming words that I come up with are just not enough. I took my bible with me and began to just pray the scriptures over the street. What better words to bring to the Lord than the Word which is God breathed? So we walked and prayed and I found this scripture while praying…
Thus says God the LORD,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread out the earth and its offspring,
Who gives breath to the people on it
And spirit to those who walk in it,
6“I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness,
I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You,
And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the nations,
7To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the dungeon
And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
8“I am the LORD, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images. Isaiah 42:5-8
This scripture hit me like a ton of bricks. This is what God is using us for! This is what God is using the Tamar Center for! We are a covenant to the people (a promise) we are a light to the nations. God is using us to open blind eyes and bring the prisoners from the dungeon and those in darkness out. Not only here in Thailand but at home. What a privilege and a responsibility! This scripture comes to my mind is Luke 12:48 …From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
My prayer is that God will use this ministry and this year to lead us ALL to trust Him more fully, to know Him deeper and praise Him all the more. Thank you for partnering with me with your prayers and support.
To finish what happened while we prayer walked… We ran into 2 women that come to the Tamar Center for English Class and we were able to greet them and encourage them to come to class because we would be there. I also passed by a bar and had a quick visit with a woman I had met during one of our nights at the bars. It was such a good night and I pray that the Lord will transform this city to be a beacon of light in Thailand. Please continue to pray for Pattaya that the stronghold of the evil one will be broken and Christ will be glorified!
