From Thai National Congress 7

One of my mentors is fond of using the phrase “God has no accent in any language.”  I have heard her say this many times and it has struck me as cute, and even a bit profound, but this last week it really hit home for me for the first time.

All of last week we participated in a historical gathering of representatives from nearly every denomination and ministry across Thailand, for five days of prayer, teaching, worship and unprecedented unity in the Thai church.  It was ALL in Thai and our brains had a hard time keeping up with the long days and many sermons, but it was indeed special to be a part of the experience.

During the opening session, the first night, there was a time when everyone was asked to pray for each other in small groups.  Standing there in this giant auditorium, I was deeply in awe of God.  Over 3,500 Thais (and some foreigners) were gathered there, each talking to God in their mother tongue, and connecting with Him in a personal way.  The vastness of God struck me deeply in that moment – He is able to be fully present and listening eagerly to each one of those prayers, and whether it is in Thai or English or Finnish or Chinese, he understands every word.  Even more so, if I pray in broken Thai, he hears my heart…rather than the words that I pronounce incorrectly or completely omit.  Indeed, God has no accent, and our accents never leave Him confused a bit. J

(To read more about these meetings follow this link to an article that Iven wrote for the YWAM Thailand Newsletter: http://www.ywamthai.org/office/eletter/may09.html)