We arrived in Thailand only a few short days ago. We’ve been staying in Chiang Mai for a leadership development weekend before we jump into our two months of ministry here. Our hostel is in the middle of the city making it extremely close to the red-light district. The other night during our session I felt this overwhelming desire to go and do a prayer walk through these streets and through the bars. As you may or may not know, Thailand has a deeply rooted sex tourism industry. The need for prayer is immense. Since we aren’t doing bar ministry this month, we weren’t able to go in and talk to the women because we don’t have an ‘out’ to offer them. But instead, a few of us decided to simply go out at night, walk through, and pray for those inside the bars. We decided to be a light to those who are surrounded by darkness.
I could sit here write about what we saw or the heaviness we experienced. But I feel there’s more power in sharing the prayers I prayed for hours as I walked through.
Jesus,
First I want to say thank you for these beautiful women. I want to say thank you for their hearts to succeed, I thank you for their smiles, and I thank you for the hope you bring. Lord I pray for your light to shine so brightly amidst this darkness. I pray that the truth is made known that there is more. That there is more to this life than what they know. I pray eyes are opened to your hope, love, grace, and mercy. I pray for your love to flood these streets and for your loving embrace to take over. I pray that you reveal yourself in unimaginable ways. I pray that it is made known that these beautiful women are fully known, fully loved, and fully worthy of your Kingdom.
Lord, I pray for the men. I pray for supernatural conviction. My sin is no better, and I’m not here to judge. But Lord, I pray that they become made aware of what they’re doing and made aware that these are amazing women who are deserving of so much more. I pray that addictions, perversions, all chains are broken. I pray that my heart doesn’t grow hard and bitter towards these men, but instead help me show compassion for their brokenness. Lord I pray that in their brokenness they instead turn to you.
I pray that as we are walking through that we are a light for you, that people notice something different and can’t help but stare. I pray that as we go in and out of these bars that you are paving a way for your love to be shown. I pray emptiness over the bars tonight. I pray the demand for women ceases. I pray against the spirit of sexual perversion. In the almighty name of Jesus, I command that evilness to be bound up and sent back where it belongs. In its place I pray for peace, love, and grace.
I repeated something along these lines for hours as we walked in and out of bars, up and down the streets. The power of prayer in undeniable.
I urge you today to find something worth fighting for. Something that breaks your heart so much that you have no other option but to stop, stretch your arms to Heaven, and pray.
