Prayer Guide – Week 01 (Sept 04-10)

Kyoto

Kyoto city was the imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years and was the epicenter of aristocratic cultural influence. Also known as the "City of 10,000 Shrines," Kyoto is home to much spiritual darkness. The region's great beauty is often overshadowed by the strongholds that exist in this important prefecture.

Please pray for:

• God's Light to shine in the darkness of Kyoto
• Japanese believers to have a burden for the lost in this region
• God to raise up missionaries to make disciples here
• Kyoto to be transferred from the dominion of darkness to the Kingdom of God

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying,'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'" - John 8:12

Osaka

With nearly 19 million people, the Osaka metropolitan area is the second largest in Japan and among the largest in the world. This area is strikingly different from Tokyo in many ways. While Tokyo's culture was built upon samurai ideology as the military capital, Osaka was founded on a merchant mentality and has functioned as Japan's business capital.

As a result, the people of Osaka prefecture are concerned with present benefits and realism. The number of people who claim to rely on spiritual support is the second lowest in Japan. With the majority of this large mass of people chasing after the illusion of materialistic joy, countless individuals have surely realized its emptiness. How will they know true Joy?

Please pray for:

• The believers in Osaka Prefecture, that they will hold fast to God and enjoy sweet communion with the Holy Spirit
• A burden for the lost among the churches in this region
• The town of Mihara, with more than 40,000 people and no church presence at all
• Osaka to become a beacon of light for the rest of Japan through transformation in Jesus Christ.

"How will they believe in whom they have not heard?" - Romans 10:14b

Japanese living abroad have more time to think and consider the gospel.  Away from some social and religious obligations it becomes more feasible for Japanese to visit church and explore Christianity.  Please pray that many Japanese overseas will take advantage of this freedom to come to Christ.  Ask the Lord of the harvest to send Christians overseas to befriend and reach Japanese visitors.  Pray for protection and boldness for Japanese returning home with a newfound faith in Jesus, as well as for a warm welcome from churches in Japan. 

Suicide & Mental Health: Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Mental health in Japan remains a top concern and suicide among Japanese children is the highest in the world. Japanese people can often consider that sharing their troubles with others, even sometimes with family and friends, is rude or burdensome. Please pray that God would work powerfully through his church in Japan to bring hope and light for those who feel hopeless or marginalized.

Let us pray for blessings on the work of loving and praying for Japan.
One year has passed since this Love Japan prayer work started.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our brothers and sisters who have continued to offer their sincere prayers.
Let us pray that many more people will be added to this work this week, and that the Lord's work will be vividly done and glorified in Japan.

• Pray that the work of prayer will be shared among the churches and that they will be added to this work.
• Pray that the brothers and sisters who are currently responding to our prayers will be filled with more blessings, and that the joy of prayer will overflow from there and flow to the brothers and sisters around them.
• That the joy of prayer will overflow from them and flow to the brothers and sisters around them.
• Through prayer, may all barriers be broken down and Christians throughout Japan be united as one.