There are over 31,200 Buddhist temples spread around Thailand. Buddhism in Thailand is largely of the Theravada school. Nearly 95% of Thailand’s population is Buddhist of the Theravada school. Buddhist temples in Thailand are characterized by tall golden stupas, and the Buddhist architecture of Thailand is similar to that in other Southeast Asian countries, particularly Cambodia and Laos, with which Thailand shares cultural and historical heritage.
The percentage of Christians is 0.7% that is about 458,111 people who profess to be saved. This makes evangelizing extremely hard in this country. As you consider the statistics just know the spiritual environment is thick with idol worship and ancient beliefs that are filled with untruths.
Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries I have been to so far but it spiritually sticks. Every time I past a temple, a idol or a cleansing house; something within me gets so angry. Most North Americans when they see a temple, take a picture and walk away. I cannot walk away, I want every idol to be knocked down.
I want Thailand to know the Lord. It saddens me that the most beautiful people I have ever met fears the world and not the Lord. Why can’t they see that idol worship will never bring them satisfaction, idol worship will never bring them joy, idol worship will not hear their cries and prayers, idols are but stick and stones made by man’s hands. There is only one God that is Jehovah, Yahweh, Elohim.
From the Old Testament:
* “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the LORD is one! You shall love
the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all
your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4,5)
* “Know therefore this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above, and on the earth beneath: there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:39 NKJV)
* “I am the LORD, and there is no other, there is no God beside Me.” (Isaiah 45:5)
* “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10)
From the New Testament:
* “It is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve”(Matthew 4:10)
* “There is one God; and there is no other but He.” (Mark 12:32)
* “You believe that there is one God; you do well.” (James 2:19)
* “Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.” (Galatians 3:20)
* “For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
So, when I past the Buddhist temples I pray. I pray that salvation will meet the people one day. I pray that every ear will hear the good news. I will pray, will you?
Please pray for the nation of Thailand that they will come to know the ONE true God that is Jesus Christ our Lord.
(statistics are from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Thailand)
