Prayer Guide – Week 30 (Mar 27 - Apr 02)

This week's prayer focus is Kyoto and Osaka Prefectures

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 Prefecture, Japan.
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

If you haven’t heard already Japan claimed its third World Baseball Classic championship last Tuesday in a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the United States.

The semi final against Mexico saw 62 million viewers in Japan alone.

As we see in the Olympics sport brings a nation together.

How can we use sporting events to share the Good News across Japan?

Japan International Sports Partnership is seeking to use sport and play and health and fitness to connect with the Japanese community.

JiSP is seeking to build City Teams in each Prefecture across Japan.

Pray for Kim and Madoka as they travel around Japan sharing the vision of sport reaching the community
Pray for City teams coming together in every one of Japan’s 47 Prefecture. We have over a third at the moment
Pray Churches will use sports and sporting events to reach out into the community

May they spend their days with joy and peace of mind.
May the brothers and sisters who already know and serve the Lord continue to witness the truth of the Word of God.
May the Lord's fullness be given to us even in the midst of our weakness, and may we continue to shine on that stage.
May the abundant experience of this blessing be passed on to the next generation.
May the Lord be clearly witnessed to those who have not yet met Him, and may they accept Him as their Savior.