Prayer Guide – Week 12 (Jan 20-26)

As is the case in many countries, Japanese churches normally have more women who attend than men. In so many churches across Japan there are many Christian mothers who attend fairly regularly, but their husbands never or rarely come with them.

To pray for Christian men to step up and live out their calling. Here are four prayer points..

(1) Let’s pray for revival amongst Christian men

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!” Psalm 111:10

Caught in a culture where the fear of man holds many men in bondage, compromise and fruitlessness - let’s pray for a revival of the fear of God amongst Japanese Christian men:

• Let’s pray that they have a revelation of the love AND the fear of the Lord.
• Pray that they would come to know their identity in Christ as sons of the living God.
• Pray that they would know they are to be in the world but not of the world.

(2) Let’s pray for the healing of Christian men

“All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.” 1 Sam 22:2

Men often look strong on the outside but are hiding battles with the flesh that no-one knows about.

• Let’s pray that Japanese Christian men form deep, vulnerable relationships with other Christian men.
• Pray that they get healed and free; and they learn to live from their spirits and not their flesh.
• Pray for tools that help Japanese Christian men, like the 33 Minute Warrior and Freedom40 - a 40 day program to help Christian men form new habits in their relationship with God and with other men. (See https://onfire.jp/freedom40}

(3) Let’s pray for the bold witness of Christian men

“He proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hinderance!” Acts 28:31

The best people to reach men are other men who are already in their affinity groups. Japanese Christian men are already peppered throughout society - interacting daily at schools, companies, clubs, families, communities.

• Pray that Japanese Christian men would step out in their Kingdom authority to share and displaythe gospel, within their affinity groups.
• Pray they would rely fully on the Holy Spirit to lead them, and boldly pray for healing, wholeness, reconciliation, when the chance arises.
• Pray they would meet people of peace - those who are keys to reaching their whole communities for Christ.

(4) Let’s pray for creative ways to reach the men of Japan

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

… I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:19, 22-23

As we have prayed for Japanese Christian men to be bold in their witness of the gospel of the Kingdom;

• Let’s pray that they will use creative tools to connect with their pre-believer friends, family members, co-workers etc.
• Pray for them to be led by the Holy Spirit as they minister the Kingdom through healing, helping, God-centred friendships.
• Pray for them to wisely mentor, disciple and coach the next generation of young men in humility and the fear of the Lord.