Prayer Guide – Week 20 (March 11-17)

The church is split into over 120 denominations. There are major divisions between Charismatic, Evangelical and Mainline churches with little communication or cooperation between them. [One amazing result that has grown out of the Japan Disaster of 2011 is a fresh wind of unity among the Church here.] Pray that these barriers will be broken down and a spirit of John 17:21 lived out.

Pastors, though trained in theology, need to have a vision for and the skill to train dedicated disciples. Another concern is that even though the church has been growing at a very slow rate, because of low seminary enrollment and retirements there is a major shortage of pastors. Ask the Lord to provide such people as described in II Timothy 2:2 and I Timothy 3:1 for the church in Japan.

Application of biblical truth on a daily basis is a great challenge for believers who are continually being pressured to conform to this monolithic, homogeneous culture. This keeps many Christians from a consistent witness and worship. Many baptized Japanese fall away within the first five years. Ask the Lord to impart a grace to His people that will enable them to live out Romans 12:2-20.

Since revival is preceded by a spirit of prayer and intercession, people, with a God-granted burden to labor in prayer are greatly needed. Ask the Lord to establish more and more watchmen (Isaiah 62:6,7).

It is possible for many churches to maintain a form-centered worship that lacks the vitality of the Spirit. Ask the Lord to break in and give His people a new song to sing for the praise of His name (Psalm 98).

The Japanese church has only begun to be a blessing to the nations. Ask the Lord to grant a vision and burden for the nations of the earth to His church. Japan is remembered among the Asian people as the nation that caused great harm and hurt during World War II. Ask the Lord to make the church a balm and blessing to the nations of Asia (Isaiah 49:6).