Although I (sadly) learned very little Korean during our two years living in Seoul, even still, the sound of the language itself became beautiful to me. If I was one of those people who listened to soothing sounds to fall asleep, I’d happily drift off listening to the Korean nightly news! Now that we live in Southeast Asia and are learning Thai, I have been hoping for that same special connection with the language here. Thai is very different than the language sounds I’m used to and I have been looking forward to the day when it will sound beautiful and comforting to me.

Yesterday I had that experience for the first time.

In our work staff meeting we had a time of prayer, specifically praying for the great uncertainty and turmoil in the United States right now. One of our Thai staff members prayed in Thai and, perhaps it was partly the sincerity with which she prayed and partly that I could understand a few words here and there, but her beautiful prayer brought tears to my eyes.

It reminded me of the Thai people who have asked us about what is going on in America right now with COVID and now the civil unrest. It reminded me of Thai believers who have said they are praying for my home country and concerned for my family. Brothers and sisters all over the world are praying for peace, for reconciliation, for healing, and for safety in America. What a special encouragement this has been to see and hear first-hand. There are fellow believers in this country—a place most Americans have never been to—and they have you in their hearts. It is a beautiful thing to be lifted up by the powerful and effective prayers of the saints (James 5:16).

We, too, will continue to pray.
We will pray for safety and peace.
We will pray for healing for those who have lost loved ones.
We will pray for justice.
We will pray that you can show love to all whom you come into contact with today, and tomorrow, and the day after that.

And we will pray for God to use even brokenness, grief, and conflict to bring something good in His time. He can do all things; surely no purpose of His can be thwarted (Job 42:2, Gen 50:19-20).

We are praying here, and around the world, that God would work through these circumstances not only to save earthly lives but to save souls and glorify Himself. May the Gospel go forth and may our Savior, the Prince of Peace, reconcile men to each other and to our Heavenly Father all over the land.