Prayer Guide – Week 11 (Dec 11-17)

Hokkaido is the northernmost region in Japan, and is also the largest of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Hokkaido is a largely rural area, with industries such as agriculture, forestry, and fishing.

• Pray for churches without pastors, and those facing hardships due to severe winters, population decline, and economic difficulties. The average church attendance is 32 people.
• There are many areas of Hokkaido without a church, including 84 towns/villages. Pray that the gospel can spread through online Christian media and the radio. Pray for Christians and churches to have wisdom and creativity to reach people living in remote areas.

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God." - Psalm 90:2

Passivity can be one of the most subtle yet difficult stumbling blocks in Christian life. Without an intentional daily walk with Christ, believers can find it harder and harder to stand firm in Christ and not get swept away in the relentless current of daily life.

In Japan, this is intensified due to a strong cultural value of group harmony. While this is a positive value in many ways, when over 99% of the people in Japan are not Christians, “just going with the flow” can subtly yet consistently pressure believers to bend.

• Pray for believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit as they read the Word, pray, and worship God. Pray that they will find strength to stand firm in Christ through whatever comes in daily life.
• Pray for an awareness about the stumbling block of passivity. Pray that believers can identify areas of passivity or “going with the flow,” and ask Jesus for help to stand firm or move forward as needed.

Christmas is finally here. Let us pray.

• Pray for the blessing of Christmas services in each church.
• May we be protected from infectious diseases, accidents, and incidents, and may many people be led to church on this occasion.
• May the blessings of the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus raise one soul after another to welcome Christ into their hearts.
• May those for whom we pray be led to church and worship services this year.
• May the church indeed shine as a hope at Christmas.
• May this be a Christmas that reaches out to the poor.