My month in Thailand has been unexplainable. I feel as though I could write for days about the greatness of God, the beauty of Him gently teaching me lessons that will change me forever, the power of intercessory prayer, the purpose of community, the picture of Him molding His children to look more like Christ, being blessed by Him and others, freedom as a child of God, a never ending- always pursuing love, and it would only scratch the surface of my month in Thailand. However, I have decided to focus on what God taught me about worship, praise, prayer, and a thankful heart.
This month we had four all-girl teams in our location and we would take turns, alternating evenings, going into the bars. The teams that didn’t go into the bars would stay home and pray for the girls who were going out to Bangla Road.
Everyone would meet for worship from 8-9pm
From 9-11:30 girls went into the bars/ others stayed home and prayed.
Normally when I was praying at home or when I was in the bars I would pray for boldness and courage. I would pray that myself and the other girls would know our worth in Christ so that we could fully express what the girls we worth to Him, through what Christ has done. I prayed for no man or women to leave together unless they were married. I prayed for God to bring His glory to Bangla road and that churches would replace the bars. I prayed against a lot of things that I saw happen and I prayed for a breaking of chains and burdens to be taken away, and for lies to be replaced with truth.
Our last night in the bars, my prayer attitude was completely different. Instead of praying against certain things or praying for things that I thought would be good for Bangla road. I began to just praise God for how good He is, and thanking Him for everything that He is and has done. I was in a constant prayer of how good he is, how big He is, how I love Him, and I want His will to be done. How I believe that He can do all things and I trust in His plan and purpose for all things. As I prayed these things, I automatically was walking in boldness and in confidence of who my God is and of His affections towards me. My words made more since and my conversations with the girls were much more meaningful and purposeful.
Now this is not to say that my previous prayers were bad or not purposeful; but I did notice a very big difference when I simply began to sing His praises in my heart and mind. I felt like I was walking side by side with Him and we were on the same mission and it was awesome! That is what I want my ministry to be like! Needless to say, I am very thankful for this lesson; as well as all of the lessons that I have learned this year. Thank you to all of you who have made this amazing journey possible for me. Thank you for all of your support, love, and encouragement! God is so good and I love how He is always pursuing, loving, and teaching us new things 🙂
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1
This one gets me ReAlLy excited!!
And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty pearls of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Revelation 19:5-6
