May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God

2 Thessalonians 3:5 says, "May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Jesus Christ."

That was my prayer today as we toured one of the largest pilgrimage Bhuddist temples in Thailand, a mountain called Doi Suthan. Once we reached the top we were pressed to buy bells and incense to offer for our relatives and to help us find peace. None of us purchesed any, and it became immediately apparent that this was a place filled with souls wrestling with truth, trying to find comfort where there is none.
We prayed.

We were broken for them.

As we walked and prayed we noticed immediately one of the main temple buildings under construction, and I thanked God for His simple reminder to the worshipers there that these buildings and idols are indeed wrought by human hands, unable to speak, unable to understand their many prayers, unable to grant them the peace they seek and incapable of the immeasurable love God desires to pour out upon them. For that we gave thanks.

One of their Bhuddist sayings, which was carved on a post near the entrance to the compound, is "May Peace Prevail upon the Earth." They are searching for peace; they long for comfort. Five Thai people attempt suicide every day and they are hungry for the truth. Jesus told the world that He was leaving with us His peace; not as the world gives. Pray for the Bhuddists in Thailand that they would come to know Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace.

As we left that place we took stock of our surroundings. Atop a magnificent mountain peak surrounded by trees amid the clouds, we could see the mimicry at work. Every temple designed to look like a mountain; every spire crafted after the trees; each bell chiming the same pitch as the birds; and people trying to be gods unto themselves. It was a long, somber walk back down the mountain; one filled with constant prayer for a people whom God desires for Himself. Imagine what unique worship the Thai Bhuddists would bring to the God of heaven and how pleased He would be to claim this nation for His glory.

Join us in our intersession for the Thai Bhuddists. They are eagerly seeking; they simply need to be shown the Way.

Praise be to God and all glory to Him for every heart that turns to Jesus.

Eli Suddarth (Team Member)
Director of Worship and Discipleship
River Valley Community Church