January 2008 Pacific Rim Prayer Emphasis:
The So of Laos and Thailand

“‘Can man make gods for himself? Yet they are not gods! Therefore behold, I am going to make them know- This time I will make them know My power and My might; And they shall know that My name is the LORD.’” Jeremiah 16:20-21, NASB.

So literally translates as elder brother. It is a distinction the So make to let other groups know that they have been in the region longer than the other peoples living along the banks of the Mekong River in both Laos and Thailand. More than 120,000 So live in Laos. Another 30,000 live in Thailand. The So tend to be poorer and less educated than the neighboring people groups. Most So work as subsistence farmers or as fishermen.

The So in Thailand are predominately Buddhist, although animism is still a major part of their religious life. The So in Laos are primarily ancestor worshipers. While there are a few born-again believers among the So in Thailand, there are no known So Christians in Laos. Currently, the Bible and the Jesus Film are being translated into the heart language of the So. A small group of Christians are also interested in sharing the Gospel with the So.

The So live in fear of spiritual forces. They often attribute sickness or misfortune to an angry ancestor or area spirit. Most So homes have small altars nearby to make sacrifices to appease these spirits and to ward off bad luck. They also trust in charms and idols.

Pray that:

The Bible which is currently being translated into the So language will be completed quickly and accurately.

Dubbing of the Jesus Film into the So language will go smoothly, and the film will be widely seen by the So.

So Christians will become burdened to go and share the Gospel with their people.

God will give wisdom, unity and resources to the small group of believers currently trying to reach the So with the Gospel.

The Holy Spirit will open and prepare the hearts of the So people to receive the Gospel.

God will lead the So evangelists to people of peace.

Doors will open so that more So will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Download other requests from Around the Rim.
Download the January PacRim Prayer Calendar.