GLOBAL PRAYER NETWORK: Tai Lue of Myanmar (Burma)

Kamis, 25 Desember 2014

Tai Lue of Myanmar (Burma)

China is the original homeland of the Tai Lue people (pronounced as Dai in China), but many have migrated south due to pressure from the Chinese. During World War II, when the establishment of a communist regime ended the Tai Lue kingdom, they fled to Burma and Northern Thailand. The Tai Lue have preserved much of their traditional way of life. Most are farmers living in river valleys where they grow wet rice for both consumption and sale. They still use wooden equipment drawn by buffalo. Households are tight knit and generally have a large network of extended family in their village. The Tai Lue people practice Theravada Buddhism mixed with animism. Each village has a temple with novice and head monks, and every family is expected to visit the temple for Buddhist festivals and give to the temple in order to gain merit for their next lives. They put great emphasis on reincarnation.

Ministry Obstacles
The Tai Lue face great social pressure to continue their Buddhist and animist practices. Those who choose to follow Christ may be forced out of their village or face other kinds of persecution.

Outreach Ideas
Because the Tai Lue are oral communicators, an oral approach to sharing the Gospel is important. Several videos and recordings are available in their language.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There may be a few Christians among the Tai Lue of Myanmar. Pray for these, and for others who will soon come to faith. "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify them through and through."

Pray for the entire people group
The Tai Lue have been tremendously affected by the fighting and bloodshed of the past. They need healing and new spiritual hope.

Scripture Focus
"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40