Prayer Guide – Week 37 (May 15-21)

The two prefectures this week are Saga and Nagasaki in Kyushu

Saga
Located only 200 kilometers from the shoreline of South Korea, Saga has been a place of cultural exchange between Japan and mainland Asia. This includes a brief history of Catholicism that was initiated by Portuguese Jesuits in the 17th century.

Today, 88% of the towns and villages in Saga have no church presence at all - this is the worst percentage in Japan. The Kingdom of God has yet to infiltrate this region, but when the Lord moves, He moves mightily. The gates of hell won't stand against the advance of His church. Come Lord Jesus!

Please pray for:

• The believers of Saga, that the Holy Spirit would prompt them to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with their families, neighbors, friends, and coworkers
• The 37 towns and villages with no Christian witness, that they would be blessed to have the beautiful feet of those who bring the Gospel grace their vacinities
• New Life to enter Saga, one heart at a time

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
- Acts 4:12

Nagasaki
To say that Nagasaki possesses a unique history would be an understatement. For a time it was the only point of contact that Japan had with the outside world, as foreign ships were only allowed to dock in Nagasaki harbor.

This led to the arrival of Jesuit missionaries in the 16th Century. Many Japanese began to believe the teaching that they heard and professed faith in Christ. It wasn't long until one of the most violent persecutions in Christian history swept over the region as the government forced people to recant or face death and torture.

In 1597, 26 believers (both Japanese Christians and missionaries alike) were crucified in Nagasaki. The above picture is a monument to those who were killed.

This area is also infamous for the tragedy of the atomic bombing in 1945. May God bring true spiritual healing to a city that was so devastated by unspeakable horrors.

Please pray for:

• The blood of the martyrs to become (even 400 years later!) the seed of a new movement of the Holy Spirit in Nagasaki
• New Life to sprout forth in this place where death once reigned
• God's love to come like a flood upon Nagasaki Prefecture and heal the hearts of the Japanese there

"O Lord, the God of my salvation,
I have cried out by day and in the night before You.
Let my prayer come before You;
Incline Your ear to my cry!"
- Psalm 88:1,2

The culture of darkness in Japanese society in terms of business transactions and organizational practices is gradually being brought into the light.
Please pray that this will be an opportunity to cleanse Japanese society and culture and transform it into something more in line with the Lord's will.

There has been a confession of sexual abuse that has been going on for a long time in a major entertainment company. Pray that the truth will be revealed and that there will be no more victims.

• Pray that the practices and common sense of those involved in the entertainment industry will be cleaned up and that they will be able to live in peace.
• Pray that those who can stand as their pastors will be aroused and meet the Lord.

There have been reports of corruption and collusion in connection with the Tokyo Olympics.

• Pray that the pus of society will be drained out and a new culture will be formed.
• Pray that those who can stand as pastors in the business world will be aroused and the Lord will be witnessed to.

This week, starting with Mother's Day on May 14, we would like to pray for mothers.

• Pray that we can be close to our children and help them grow.
• Pray for mothers who are raising children while holding down a job, that they will be strengthened in body and mind.
• May we continue to share our love for the uniqueness that is given to each of our children when we face multiple children.
• May women who unexpectedly become mothers find healing and release, and be guided by the joy of loving their children.
• May the Lord pour out His hope to those women who desire to become mothers.