Prayer Guide – Week 02 (Oct 02-08)

Hyogo is home to Kobe, the sixth largest city in Japan. Because of its thriving port, there has been substantial exposure to foreign influences, which has shaped the culture of its urban center. However, the rural communities are still grounded in older tradition and don't have much exposure to the Gospel of Christ.

The 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake killed around 6,500 people and destroyed much of Kobe. It was one of the worst earthquake disasters in Japanese history and many lives are still effected by it today.

Please pray for:

• The Holy Spirit to open the eyes of many in Kobe and its surrounding regions so that they can have the Joy of knowing their Creator.
• The existing Churches in Hyogo - that they would be strong in the Lord and abide in Him.
• Japanese believers in Hyogo to feel a burden for the lost and reach out to their communities with the Gospel, being led by the Spirit.
• God's Kingdom to come to Hyogo prefecture, so that they can know Jesus Christ and have everlasting life.

"Then you will see and be radiant,
And your heart will thrill and rejoice;
Because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you,
The wealth of the nations will come to you...
...And I shall glorify My glorious house."
- Isaiah 60:5,7b

This week's prayer focus is Nara Prefecture, Japan.

Nara twice served as Japan's capitol and as a result, boasts a rich cultural heritage. People in Nara today generally have a low religious interest, yet the region has the second-highest rate of people who believe in life after death.

The prefecture is 80% forest, so there are many towns and villages that are remote and without a church presence. Sharing the Gospel with the declining population of the mountain regions is perhaps the most urgent evangelistic need.

Please pray for:

• The Nara Evangelistic Association that meets six times a year - that they would cooperate and have the unity of the Holy Spirit guiding and encouraging them
• The 24 towns and villages with no church presence at all - that God would raise up workers to enter these harvest fields
• Those of the Tenrikyo faith, which is based in Nara - that they would come to know Jesus Christ and find acceptance and purity in Him

"I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me;
I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me.
I said, 'Here am I, here am I,'
To a nation which did not call on My name."
- Isaiah 65:1

2 weeks ago at Gifu, Central Japan, the seventh Japan Congress on Evangelism took place. There were 1000 people there and over another thousand on line.

Give thanks for all those who were there with a burning commitment to find a way to reach Japan. Give thanks for the ideas that were shared and for the many creative ideas shared of what people are doing in reaching their communities.

One significant part of the congress was the commitment to have every speaker/presenter under 50 years and that no one would be referred to as Sensei (teacher) but that we are all learners together. These younger speakers did a great job and were an inspiration to many at the conference.

Pray that across Japan younger Pastors and Christian workers would be raised up and grow in confidence to step up in their calling. Pray that older pastors and leaders may mentor and train younger people to rise up.

Pray for the Kingdom to come in Japan.

• That children will be added to the fellowship of the church.
• That children's worship services will be restored in churches where children's worship services are no longer held.
• That workers who love and serve children will be raised up.
• That children born into Christian families would inherit the faith and live their days with the Lord with joy.
• That the missionary work being done for the children will advance strongly and be used, and that revival will be caused for the children.