Pray for Thailand partner church, LCA members urged

As the flood crisis in Thailand, including in its capital Bangkok, escalates, Lutherans across Australia and New Zealand have been urged to pray for the millions of people affected by the disaster.

LCA Board for Mission Director Rev Neville Otto, via an email from Singapore this morning, reminded the people of the LCA and LCNZ of the prayer support received from Thailand's small Lutheran church during our own flood crises earlier this year, and urged Australian and New Zealand Lutherans to reciprocate that support in Thailand's time of need.

'It's at times like that the barriers of distance and culture fall away', he said. 'As sisters and brothers in Christ, we are called to care for each other and pray for each other as members of the body of Christ.'

While the Lutheran church in the northern province of Nan has so far escaped inundation, floodwaters are expected to reach the national office and the seminary of LCA partner church The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Thailand (ELCT) in Bangkok by Monday, 31 October. Only a kilometre from the Chao Praya River, which runs through the heart of Bangkok, the Lutheran centre is located in the lowest of Bangkok's 50 districts, about a metre below sea level.

The LCA is providing financial support to the ELCT to assist its efforts to prepare and distribute aid packages to flood-affected people.

On Thursday, ELCT Bishop Rev Dr Banjob Kusawadee expressed thanks to the LCA for its support: 'We thank God that we have our brethren in Christ, the LCA, who have shown us generosity, not just this time, but whenever we face crises and havoc. The LCA will always stand beside us.

'Please keep our country in your prayers.'