PRAYER GUIDE – WEEK 14 (Dec 5th - 11th)

Pray for the many elderly who have had some contact with the gospel/Christians since the tsunami and/or other disasters in the region to come to faith before their remaining time is over (recently more and more contacts of churches/church plants in coastal Iwate made since the tsunami are starting to pass on into eternity).

Pray for the growth and ongoing development of the Rural Japan Church Planter Training Center which started in 2022.

Pray for churches or outreach outposts to be planted in the yellow and green areas on map and for more workers or churches  to commit to them long term. I'll put map in separately in a minute.

Pray also for the Christmas outreach season, especially for the many church plants along the coast including in Ofunato,  Otsuchi, Yamada, Miyako, and Iwaizumi/Tanohata/Fudai/Noda.  And for the inland church plants in Yahaba, Yuda, Yamada, Hanamaki.  As well as the many long established churches in Iwate to maximally use the opportunities to reach out in their cities that the Christmas season provides.

In order to walk together in this new era, I believe we need (1) transformation, (2) teamwork, and (3) each of us doing our part.

This week I would like to pray first for 'transformation'.

1. Disconnection: In order to strengthen us individually and the church, sometimes it is important to continue what we have been doing, but sometimes it is necessary to let go (we were forced to let go naturally in the midst of the Corona disaster). Let us Christians and churches stand at the origin of the Word and ask God what we really need for spiritual life.
2. Multiplication of ekklesia: May the existing churches take the role of Antioch Church and many ekklesia (cell churches, house churches) multiply to every nook and cranny of Japan.
3. Outgoing Mission: As Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore, and preach the gospel, not as though ye were on the defensive, but as though ye were going out to preach the gospel.

The number of households receiving public assistance in fiscal 2021 was 1,638,184 (according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare). This is an increase from the previous year.

The number of single-parent households and single adults who are suffering financially is also increasing.

As the end of the year approaches and prices continue to rise, let us pray for the Lord's help to be delivered.

• Pray that they will be able to live a life in which they can receive the joy of living.
• Pray that the Lord will give us the help we need to do so.
• Pray that Christians and churches will be used to help those who are unable to ask for help because of shame or fear to receive it with peace of mind.
• Pray that the national and local governments will cooperate.