Papa, break my heart for the people here in Thailand. Break my heart for the prostitutes and the lady boys. Break my heart for the children whose parents sold them into a life of prostitution. Break my heart for the men who buy these women. Give me spiritual eyes tonight.
This was my prayer before heading out on our first prayer walk around the red light district in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Papa, these women are so deceived, but the men buying them are even more deceived. Our contact told us the spirit of deception was big here. The women were dancing around with huge smiles on their faces, but I wonder if it is just a cover up. Inside they must be broken and empty. Inside they must have a skewed view of what LOVE means. They have never known the true love of Father God.
We saw 30-40 different bars all surrounding one street. There were 5-6 women outside each bar waiting to lure in anyone that walked past. Watching an old white man flirting with a teenage Thai girl made me want to vomit.
My heart broke as I looked behind me to see an older white man with a face full of shame. Behind him was a young Thai girl who looked like she had been crying as she kept her eyes glued to the ground with a sad, shameful expression on her beautiful face. Papa, the enemy is telling them so many lies, and they have no idea they can have the power to fight back.
As we walked past a bar full of lady boys, I felt so much sadness in my spirit. Their identity hidden behind who knows how many walls. All I could do was intercede. We saw one Thai girl who couldn’t have been more than fourteen. Anyone could see she was uncomfortable in her skimpy dress. She was uncomfortable with the entire atmosphere. I wonder if that moment had been something she had been waiting for or dreading . Was she waiting to be old enough to go into the bars and sell herself to earn big money for her family as a way to honor them? Or had she been sent to the "big city" by her parents with no choice?
Papa, do these girls enjoy this? Is this the life they want to live?
As I walked around observing hundreds of women willing to do anything for money, I cannot help but wonder what do I have to offer them? Why would they sit down and talk to me? Can they sense the presence of Jesus inside of me? Will they feel His love as we have a simple conversation?
That's when I realized my heart had completely broken for these people.
Holy Spirit you tell me what you want me to do in this dark place. You tell me what bar to go into. You tell me which girl, lady boy, or child to start a conversation with. Papa, you tell me what you want from me this month in Thailand.
I need your help all you prayer warriors. Thailand needs your help. One thing the Lord is calling you and me to do is fight in prayer. These girls may not have the authority to overcome Satan for themselves, but we do and can intercede on their behalf! Our prayers are heard in the heavenly realms and Satan must loosen his grips. Pray for Chiang Mai. Pray for blinders to be removed. Pray for FREEDOM.
