Red-light Prayers.

My ministry nights for my 1st semester here at IGo will be working with Ransom Ministries and prayer walking in the red-light districts of Chiang Mai on Monday and Friday nights (Mon and Fri mornings, EST).
Monday night was our first night... I was expecting Vegas-style lights, signs, and showgirls.  But in Chiang Mai, it's definately more toned down.  Prostitution is technically illegal in Thailand, but everyone knows it's going on. In order to get around the laws, a man can pay a "bar fine" to take one of the girls away from the bar, and then he can negotiate his price with the individual girl.  Because nothing's actually happening at the bar, the owner isn't responsible.
As we walked up and down the streets and saw the bars, saw the girls, saw the Caucasion men, we just poured out our hearts to God... praying for the Holy Spirit to come and bring revival on this city, praying for each individual girl we saw- for hope, for healing, for them to meet the One who is Love; for the men- that they would not be able to do what they came to Tapae Gate to do, that God would place the bar-owners under intense conviction and raise the standard of holiness in Thailand.
In going out to the bars, we are entering satan's rightful territory.  Please pray for us as we go out, that God would hear our prayers and bring change. Pray that God would open our eyes to see.

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." -Isaiah 61:1-3

Soli Deo gloria.