PRAYER GUIDE – WEEK 16 (Dec 19th - 25th)

(1) For people affected by the nuclear accident
Fukushima is the 3rd largest prefecture of Japan in area and 185 million people live. 
The Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant "Explosion" in 2011 (none of the 6 reactors exploded; 3 of the reactor buildings did due to hydrogen gas ignition) made the prefecture world-renown place. 
Decommissioning of the power plant is taking time (it was predicted to take 30 to 40 years), and the high radiation contamination in the immediate surrounding areas to the power station remains to be a big challenge. 
The whole situation has left enormous, remaining fear of radiation in the heart and mind of the people. 

(2) For spiritual deliverance
There are about 120 churches all together in this prefecture. 
Only a limited number of them have 100 members or more - mostly smaller congregations. 
Some pastors in the nuclear power plant affected areas still struggle with traumas and/or guilt, guilt of "not doing enough at the time of the disaster" or guilt of forsaking the ministry (many pastors evacuated temporally, following the order from their respective organizations). 
Spiritual heaviness can be felt from many pastors and/or congregations.

(3) It seems very hard to mobilize Japanese churches - pastors and leaders - to sustaining nationwide/citywide endeavor to seek God and His Kingdom. 
Fukushima is no exception. 
And yet, Fukushima Revival Prayer gathering has been going on for about 20 years. 
It has now become a monthly gathering and sometimes around 20+ pastors and believers gather from 6-7 cities and towns and from 6-7 denominations. 
Unity among the church leaders (therefore among the churches) is always a big challenge.

(4) May their eyes be opened to God's great plan.
Because the size of the local church is very small, there is an overall atmosphere of lack of hope and expectation.
Pray that the Lord will open people's eyes to see His greatness, His love shown by the prayers of people from overseas, and His great plan to transform Japan.

In order to walk together in the new era, we need (1) transformation, (2) teamwork, and (3) each one of us taking our own role.

This week I would like to pray for "each one of you to take your part.

1. What gifts has God given to each of you? There may be gifts that you are not even aware of. Let's ask God!
2. For we who are many are one body in Christ, and each one of us an organ of the other. (Romans 12:5), let us seek the role you play in the body of Christ, the church!
3. Every place is a mission field: home, school, workplace, sports, entertainment, and politics. Ask where you should be sent! If there are places where you have already been sent, pray that the gospel will be preached there!

The Christmas season is when people are most likely to open their hearts to church and Christianity. Pray that people will visit churches.

Pray that the events planned by each church will be used to share the gospel.
Pray that the joy of worshiping the Lord will be shared to many people through Christmas Eve services and Christmas services.
Pray that those who are led to church through Christmas will continue to be led to church and Christian fellowship.

Pray for the churches nearby or you know well.