This week in language class we asked our teacher how to say love in Khmer. “Sro lain,” she said but went on to tell us that it wasn’t a common word and that Khmer people don’t really use it. “Maybe between a husband and a wife…maybe…and not really ever between mothers and children or good friends.”
WHAT?! A culture that doesn’t use the word love? Well, this got me thinking…turns out there is a long history of violence, hatred, and fear in this land.
The most recent example of this was in the mid-70’s when the Khmer Rouge took control. People had a hard time telling the ‘good guys’ from the ‘bad guys.’ People were recruited by the Khmer Rouge to spy on and ‘turn in’ their own family members and close friends who were then subjected to horrible torture and murder. People had no idea who to trust. The rule was: talk to no one, look at no one—just worry about and take care of yourself.
Fast forward 30-some years and this culture of fend-for-yourself continues to cause deeper issues of resentment, revenge, and fear.
Plenty of people are here doing things in Cambodia, but sometimes praying gets put by the wayside. The Lord is already in Cambodia and He wants us, His children, involved in the process of transforming it. So if the Lord wants us to help reveal Himself and His love to Cambodia, the only thing stopping mountains from being moved is a little faith and a lot of prayer.
Let’s get to it!!! Some prayer requests for Cambodia:
-The people of Cambodia need light. There is darkness all over Cambodia: in brothels, in marriages, in friendships, in impoverished alley ways, in rich foreigners’ neighborhoods, in the apartment building next to where I sleep every night.
Lord, send your light into the darkest crevasses of this country.
-The people of Cambodia seek forgiveness. Forgiveness is not a common form of reconciliation; revenge or silent avoidance are.
Lord, give the Khmer people ears to hear the good news that they are forgiven and free and that there is a way to resolve all the hurt and pain and sorrow that accompany conflict.
-The people of Cambodia need to be loved deeply. They may have never felt a parent’s warm embrace or received positive encouragement. How can a person who has never experienced love, love their own child? How can a person who has never been told “You are beautiful, unique, loved, and purposefully created,” break the cycle of self-focus and brokenness?
Lord, reign your love over these hungry people.
-The people of Cambodia need to have a fire lit underneath them.
Lord, wake the Khmer people up! Show them how unhappy and empty and broken they are! Move them to reach out to the King of the Universe for healing and protection and life.
-The people of Cambodia long for hope. They live in fear that their ancestors are floating somewhere between heaven and hell, unsettled and alone. They try to pay their way to heaven with offerings of food and money, never knowing if they have given enough or done enough.
Lord, lift the burden that the Khmer people have placed on their own shoulders. We know your yoke is easy and your burden is light.
-The people of Cambodia need people praying on their behalf…that the Holy Spirit would personally live in them and transform their lives from the inside and out.
Lord, raise up prayer warriors around the world to pray for the Khmer people.
Amen, Kelsey. I’d love to see you all have a hundred people commit to praying with you for Cambodia.
Christ’s love will redeem….amen Kels.
May those of us who experience love not take it for granted as we pray for others to know what a wondrous blessing it is.
This is great, Kelsey. Keep encouraging people to pray for the Khmer!
i always love hearing your thoughts. the processes that God takes you through are astounding. you have so much wisdom and just a humble spirit to learn. wen I think of the word, meek, i think of you. You my friend, have a grand inheritance! love you.
Needed incentive for a walk & here it is. Will be on it in prayer in T-minus 5 minutes. Thanks so much Kelsey.