START: June 16, 2010

"Free Japan" Daily Prayer Guide

“In their misery they cried out to the Lord, and He saved them from their troubles. He brought them out of their gloom and darkness and broke their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His love and for the miracles He does for people.” PSALM 107:13-15

Day 1 (Free Japan) Christian believers all over the world are being encouraged to pray for Japan for 31 days. The prayer focus is on spiritual freedom for all Japanese to be able to hear, understand, and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that the Holy Spirit will come in power to set people’s hearts free.

Day 2 (Hokkaido) The second largest island of Japan is the most northern and experiences six months of winter each year. Many visitors go to Hokkaido to ski, ride motorbikes, hike, and camp. They also go to see the natural beauty of the wide-open spaces during wildflower season and the snow festival. People who live in Hokkaido sometimes feel isolated from the rest of Japan. Pray for warm weather and safety as Christian believers prayerwalk in Hokkaido this month. Pray that new believers, new small groups & churches, and new Christian workers will be multiplied all over Hokkaido for God’s glory.

Day 3 (students & education)
Students study hard in Japan
by memorizing lots of information.
Many parents (and students)
feel that regular school hours are
not sufficient to learn everything,
and get the grades they desire,
so they go to “cram” schools.
They get home after it is dark,
do homework, and go to bed.
A new problem has emerged in the
last few years – some students are refusing to go to school.
The government and other groups
have opened up special schools for
these young people. Pray that the Lord
will help students with these pressures,
and give them great joy. Pray for students
to believe in Christ in great numbers. Pray
for their joy in the Lord to spread to
their families, friends, and communities.

Day 4 (minorities) There are several minority groups living in Japan. Native peoples of the islands, such as the Ainu of Hokkaido, have been assimilated into Japanese culture. Minority groups, such as the deaf, are beginning to receive more attention for their special needs. Historically, there is a minority group of Japanese who were born in a particular area and who worked in certain industries. The government is currently working on measures to assimilate this group. Pray for the discouraged and downtrodden that the Lord will lift them up. Pray for Christians to reach out to minorities and show them God’s love and compassion. Pray that many from these minority groups will trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior and realize that they are His beloved people!

Day 5 (Christian believers, lay leaders) According to the Christian Databook (2004 report), Japan has a population of 126.5 million people. Of that number, only 387,001 people are members of evangelical churches in Japan. Japan needs more Christian believers, Christian workers, and lay leaders. Pray that God will provide all the resources in the body of Christ that are needed to bring this nation to Himself. Pray for Christians that are not members of churches that they will find their places of service in the body of Christ.

Day 6 (Honshu) The largest island of Japan, called Honshu, has been the center stage of politics throughout Japan’s history. Kyoto, Nara, and Kamakura (all located on Honshu) were cities where Japan was ruled by shogunates in ancient times. Tokyo became the capital city in the Tokugawa Period beginning in 1603 and continued on being the capital city throughout the eras of different emperors. No matter where you live on Honshu, when you visit Tokyo, you say you are going “up” to Tokyo. Please pray for prayerwalkers all over Honshu as they prayerwalk this month. Pray for safety and for encouragement as they ask the Lord to impact Japan’s history of thousands of years. Pray for insight as they pray for God’s Holy Spirit to reign in the hearts of Japanese.

Day 7 (Megacities) There are four large megacity areas in Japan. The Kanto region, which includes Tokyo, has 40 million people. The Kansai region, which includes Osaka and Kobe, has 22 million people. Aichi area has 8 million people and Fukuoka area has around 5 million people. Please pray for God’s wisdom in developing strategies to reach the megacities for Jesus Christ. Pray that Christian workers will cooperate together in the megacities to wrap their arms around the millions without God’s love. Pray for the people in the megacities to come to know Christ by the hundreds and thousands. Pray for new Christians in the megacities to share the gospel with their relatives when they return to their hometowns during festival times.

Day 8 (children) Children are a treasure…even more so, in Japan, where the birthrate is rapidly declining. The government is trying to encourage young couples to have children by promising dads time off from work and creating tax incentives. Please pray for the children of Japan as they grow up that they might hear about Jesus at an early age. Pray that they will grow up knowing that they are loved and valued by the Lord Jesus. Pray that they will follow the Lord as He leads and guides them into adulthood and into choosing a career and marriage partner. Pray for those who minister to children. Pray that families would be reached as children are won to the Lord.

Day 9 (cultural barriers) Japan's culture is very special and yet, it has barriers in place which makes it difficult for Japanese to trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. Japanese are very concerned that outside influences might change Japan's ancient culture. To believe in Jesus is to accept a “foreign” religion. Protecting Japanese culture is considered a religious devotion in itself. Pray that the elite class of Japanese citizens who have incluence and power over others will come to know Christ in great numbers and witness for Him. Pray that receiving God's free gift of grace and citizenship in heaven will become a strong desire in the hearts of all Japanese.

Day 10 (working people – blue collar workers/professionals) The Japanese are hard-working people. Work schedules are characterized by long hours and few days off. Please pray for the blue collar workers to find rest in Jesus Christ. Pray also for professionals to find happiness in Jesus Christ. Pray for a movement of God’s Spirit in the workplaces all over Japan. Pray for Bible studies and prayer groups to start up at all kinds of businesses, from mechanic shops, to travel agencies, to coffee shops and other work centers. Pray that workers will have time and the energy to seek to know Christ and to serve Him daily in their relationships at work, at home, and at leisure.

Day 11 (religions) Two major religions in Japan are Shintoism and Buddhism. Each family is linked to a local Buddhist temple. Most funerals that are held in Japan are followed in the Buddhist tradition. Shintoism is the official religion of the emperor system. Newborns are taken to a Shinto shrine to be blessed. Ancestor worship is done by both groups. Japanese believe that you can be a Shinto believer and a Buddhist believer at the same time. They believe that all religions lead to the same god. Pray that the Japanese will meet Jesus, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, and will forsake all of their other gods to follow Him.

Day 12 (Shikoku) The fourth largest island in Japan is Shikoku Island. Many Japanese visit this island to make a pilgrimage to 88 Buddhist temples in this district. Even so, compared with other districts in Japan, there is a higher number of churches, more than the national average ratio of churches per population. Missionaries during the late 1800’s were able to see many leaders in small villages become Christians. Their ministries grew and have left a powerful witness to their faith. Pray for Christians in Shikoku to grow in their faith and in their witness so that they might be used by the Lord in a mighty way. Pray that the Buddhist believers who make pilgrimages to this island will return home with Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Day 13 (youth culture) There is a very unique and strong youth culture in Japan. Young people are embracing trends from around the world and even starting some of their own right here. Most of them have the things that they need provided for them by their parents; and therefore, they spend most of their time, money, and energy trying to fulfill their desires. Peer pressure to participate in drugs, sex, and other destructive habits is fierce. There is also a search for the meaning and purpose of life. Japanese youth are moving away from the long-held traditions of their parents and grandparents because their world view is different. Pray for the youth of Japan that they will come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord by the thousands. Pray for those who minister to youth. Pray for Christian youth to stand true to Christ. Pray for a great revival movement to sweep through Japan led by the youth.

Day 14 (government leaders; imperial family) There have been many scandals in the news involving abuses in government. Prime Minister Koizumi is the present prime minister. Pray for government leaders, that God will use them for His purposes and for His plans. Pray for a Christian witness among them. Pray for a mighty revival to sweep Japan, including the government leaders, that many will choose to be “governed” by a higher authority, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Pray for the emperor and the imperial family members, several who have been exposed to a study of the Bible, to become followers of Jesus Christ.

Day 15 (Kyushu) The third largest island of Japan is the place where Christianity first entered Japan. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit priest, in 1549 introduced Catholicism to the Japanese living in southern Kyushu. Believers were called “Kirishitan” (Christians) Nearly fifty years later, the persecution of Christians began. This persecution lasted for the next two and a half centuries. Martyrs were executed on crosses or beheaded if they refused to step on a picture of Christ or of Mary. In 1637, a group of peasant Christians revolted against their persecutors and around 37,000 Christians were killed. Since this time, Christianity has been viewed with suspicion in Japan. Pray that the Lord will honor the sacrifice of the martyrs who gave their lives that others might know Christ as Savior in this land. Pray that their descendents will become believers. Thank the Lord for other Christian believers through the years who have stood faithfully for Christ, even in the midst of persecution and hardships. Pray for Christian believers today to have a special boldness to share Christ with others and a special joy to persevere through any hardships which result.

Day 16 (men’s and women’s issues) Men’s and women’s roles are uniquely defined in Japan even though the times are changing. Men are responsible for working and providing the necessities of life for the family. Pray for Christian men that they would be good fathers, good husbands, and use their influence in positive ways. Pray for a great spiritual awakening among men that many would trust in Christ and become active in the body of Christ. Women are responsible for children, including their education, and their home finances. Pray for Christian women to trust in Jesus and to lay their worries at His feet. Pray for Christian women that they would be good mothers, good wives, and use their influence in positive ways. Pray for a spiritual awakening among women in Japan.

Day 17 (Japanese living abroad) Many Japanese like to travel and live abroad. While spending time outside of Japan, they can be introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is easier to become a Christian in a society where Christians are thought to be in the majority. Returning to Japan can become a test of faith for new Japanese Christian believers because they return to family, friends, and co-workers who are not Christians. Pray for them as they share what Jesus has done for them. Pray that their family members and others in their circles of influence will be saved.

Day 18 (Okinawa and the smaller islands) Okinawa Island is the largest of more than 60 islands in the Ryuku Island chain which makes up Okinawa. The culture on Okinawa is unique because of its isolation from the main islands and its own tragic history. Pray for Okinawans to find peace in Jesus Christ. Pray that the people of this tropical paradise will become warmed with His love for all peoples. Pray also for the 3,000 smaller islands of Japan that there will be a Christian witness in each location.

Day 19 (economic slump) After the bubble economy burst in the 80’s, many businesses and banks failed. Unemployment became a harsh reality in a nation that used to experience life-time employment and benefits. Families are suffering emotionally from the financial setbacks. Pray that the Lord will use these uncertain times to draw people unto Himself. Pray for believers to go through these hard times with joy and confidence in their Savior and Lord and to be a witness to those without hope. Pray that people would trust in Jesus as their Hope, and the supplier of all of their needs.

Day 20 (superstitions, ghosts) The number one best seller among books is horror. Many of the old Japanese tales and legends involve ghosts and the spirit world. There are many superstitions that involve the spirit world and the desire to avoid offending any gods. For example, it is recommended that a student not ski during or before studying for exams because the downward motion could signal a downward turn in points received on the upcoming test. Because it is not certain how gods are pleased or angered, many charms are purchased at temples and shrines in order to bring good luck and to keep away bad spirits. Pray that the people who are affected by these superstitions and ghost tales will be set free to know peace and security in Jesus Christ, our Rock and our Shield. (Today, March 20, is the Buddhist holy day to worship ancestors and pay respects at the family grave site. Pray, instead, that today might be a special day of worship to the Lord as Christian believers prayerwalk nearby cemeteries all throughout Japan.)

Day 21 (Christian pastors and their families) There are 7,772 evangelical churches in Japan according to the 2002 Christian Databook. A great number of these churches are pastorless. Close to 70% of full-time ministers in Japan are over 50 years old. Please pray for the hardships that pastors and their families encounter by choosing to serve God full-time as ministers of the gospel. Pray that God will renew their calling and vision to see Japan reached for Christ. Pray also for a calling out of hundreds of lay pastors who would be willing to serve as part-time ministers while supporting their families via secular employment.

Day 22 (Christian role models) There have been few Christian role models in the last half century as

influential as author Ayako Miura. She wrote many bestsellers including the well-known Shiokari Pass. Her books have inspired many Japanese to become Christians. Most new Christian believers feel that serving God can only be accomplished through service in the small, local churches. Pray that Christian believers will use their gifts and talents in the secular workplace, like Ayako Miura, in order to be witnesses for Jesus Christ and to bring glory to His name. Pray that many will come to know Christ as a result.

Day 23 (cults/spiritual warfare) There are numerous cults active in Japan today that are capturing the hearts and minds of many Japanese seeking a religious, or supernatural, experience. Pray for the spiritual battle that is going on in Japan that God will raise up many intercessors to pray for freedom from the deceptions of false teachers. Pray that these cults will close their doors as more and more people seek Jesus. Pray that people will believe in Jesus Christ: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)

Day 24 (loneliness; stress & suicides) Loneliness is a big issue for many Japanese who feel that no one understands their heart or cares about them. Lots of relationships are shallow, limited to polite conversation. Shallowness brings a feeling of emptiness. Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill the emptiness in people’s hearts with the desire to have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that they will know and love the One who loves them and gave His life for them. Pray that stress and suicides will decrease as joy in the Lord increases! Pray that Christian believers will share their personal stories of how God has helped them.

Day 25 (families) Families are suffering in Japan. Fathers spend too many hours away from the home and have little time to spend with their children. Single-parent families are increasing as divorce becomes a new socially-accepted occurrence. Children are spending lots of time unsupervised as mothers spend more time outside of the home working or pursuing personal interests. Pray that entire families will be changed by the love of Jesus Christ. Pray that these changes will cause families to create homes that are honoring to God, the Father. Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring family members together in love and in service to the Lord.

Day 26 (urban centers) There are many cities in Japan with a million or more people. Sapporo, Sendai, and Hiroshima are among them. Pray for the Good News to change these urban centers into hubs to reach out to the rest of Japan. Pray for the Christian believers in these cities to be bold in their witness at work and in their communities. Pray for many prayerwalkers to cover the urban centers of Japan with prayer.

Day 27 (elderly & chonan system) Japan has become a “graying society”. It is reported that by 2025, more than one in four people, will be 65 years and older. There are not enough helps in place for the large number of elderly who are retirement age. It can take several years before a vacancy occurs on a waiting list for a nursing home. Tremendous pressure is put on their first-born sons to maintain the family Buddhist altar. It is feared that failure to do this might bring shame and curses to the family for generations. Pray for a great movement of the Holy Spirit among the elderly. Pray that as they become Christians, their first-born sons will become free to believe in Jesus, also.

Day 28 (cell churches) Pray that many house/cell churches would spring up all over Japan - in homes, in coffee shops, in community centers, and other common places where people spend their time. Pray for these house/cell churches to be healthy and balanced in each of these areas: worship, service, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship. Pray that the Lord would provide Christian workers for this great movement of taking Jesus out of church buildings to the millions of people who have yet to hear about Christ’s gift of salvation. Pray for these house/cell churches to multiply rapidly throughout the nation.

Day 29 (rural) Most of our images of Japan are rural scenes of rice fields, fly fishermen in streams, and ladies working in their vegetable gardens. These places still exist in many parts of Japan. The people in the rural areas are usually more traditional in their beliefs which make them harder to reach with the gospel. Pray for many open and prepared hearts that will receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. Because relationships are very important in rural areas, pray that these relationships will be become natural avenues for sharing the gospel. Pray for a great harvest of souls in the rural regions of Japan.

Day 30 (homeless) Homelessness is on the increase in Japan as businessmen have gone bankrupt and have lost everything, including the respect of their families and their own self-respect. A large park in Tokyo is known as a “tent city” for the homeless. Living under a blue tarp and sitting around their few possessions, these men remember a time when they had everything. God has raised up a few concerned Christians to begin ministries among the homeless, but there are not many resources available. Pray for their hearts to seek the Lord and to seek His help in solving their problems. Pray that Christian believers will show compassion to the homeless in their community.

Day 31 (revival) Pray that revival will occur throughout Japan among all Christian believers. Pray for Christian believers to be set free to boldly share their testimonies with family, friends, and co-workers. Pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit there will be exponential multiplication of new believers, new house/cell churches, and new Christian workers/lay leaders. Pray that the Japanese will reach out to others in Asia and the rest of the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord that He has “freed Japan” to do this for His Kingdom and for His glory!

09:38 AM in Prayer | Permalink | Comments (0)

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JAPAN PRAYER STRATEGY

MFM JAPAN PRAYER INITIATIVE

Goal – Confront the powers of darkness in Japan and take back the spiritual receptivity* that the Japanese people exhibited before the Tokugawa regime.

Steps that must be taken to do this:

1) Rescind the original welcome given to Satan when Iemitsu Tokugawa deified his grandfather, Ieyasu, as Tosho-dai-gongen, the Sun God of the East (a manifestation of the mythological goddess Amaterasu Omikami**) by praying against the web of power and influence of the Toshogu shrine in Nikko and throughout Japan.

2) Pray against the enemy’s use of social structures in Japan that began during the Tokukawa era and continue today by tearing down the following strongholds:

a) Powerlessness – a feeling of powerlessness arises from the perception of being unable to change one’s circumstances or make an impact on society. This attitude keeps many Japanese people from earnestly seeking the truth and even when confronted with the claims of Christ, they have little confidence of anything being able to change their situation. They have little hope. The Church in Japan has not been exempt from this stronghold.

b) Conformity – Laws and local customs forced people into a high degree of conformity with the group’s opinion early in the Tokugawa period. Preservation of harmony in the group becomes all-important. Throughout society, groups of all kinds become restrictive administrative devices to keep the Japanese people in line. The high degree of group allegiances in Japan has produces the stronghold of conformity. The stronghold of conformity to group norms, more than any other single factor, keeps Japanese people from receiving the gospel and becoming disciples of Christ.

c) Fear of incongruity – National uniformity was also a product of Tokugawa social engineering. Four sweeping legislative measures worked to mold all Japanese people into a homogeneous unit. The Confucian ethic for learning was another factor, which contributed conformity. A school of “national learning”

*Francis Xavier,1506-1552, Roman Catholic missionary to Japan in 1549 (Japan’s first direct modern contact with Christianity), remarking on Japanese spiritual sensitivity toward God said, “These are the best people so far discovered, and it seems to me that among the unbelievers no people can be found to excel them” (Papa 1959:15). 1,500 converted in less than two years, six regional warlords by 1579, est.150,000 converts worshipping in 200 churches by 1582, and 300,000 believers or 1.6% by 1597.

** Amaterasu Omikami is thought by many to be the highest territorial spirit over the nation of Japan.

developed around two words, “Koyiki” and “Nehonshoki.” They were made up of myths, legends, and historical facts of dubious origin and became the basis for Shinto nationalism. In modern Japan, national uniformity is driven by mass media. (Local media distinctions are few.)

National uniformity and cultural uniqueness has produced a stronghold of a fear of incongruity, not wanting to be different. They make statements such as, “We Japanese are not interested in religion” rather than stating their personal interest—even though they personally may be interested.

3) Target and pray against physical strongholds, other than the Toshogu shrines—areas where satanic activity is believed to be strong or where something exists that is believed to be invincible by the Japanese people:

a) Mt. Osore – “Fear Mountain” – located in Tohoku region in Aomori prefecture. According to popular myth, it marks the entrance to Hell. It is famous for the many spiritual mediums and sorceresses called Itako, blind Japanese women who have gone through an austere and elaborate initiation in order to be married to a god. (After she enters a trance, the master itako determines which god has possessed her. Visitors come to this mountain and the itakos offer their services to grieving families in mediating with the restless souls of the dead, for a fee of course.)

b) Big Buddha – the 37 foot high, 93 ton statue of Buddha that resides in Kamakura in the prefecture of Kanagawa in the Kanto region. The temple in which it was housed was destroyed by a 15th century tsunami but the statue survived—seemingly an indication of its invincibility.

c) Kyoto – Is thought by some to be a major stronghold over the nation.

Source: Overcoming Spiritual Barriers in Japan by Keith E. Webb, available at www.nextchurch.com/resources or Amazon.com. We highly recommend this book for anyone who is serious about praying for the nation of Japan.