Prayer Handbook – Week 19 (January 9-15)

This week's prayer focus are two Prefectures to the north of the main island of Japan

(1) Aomori Prefecture
Located at the northern tip of Honshu Island, Aomori is one of Japan's least-reached regions. Traditions and customs still have a powerful hold in this prefecture, while traditional forms of animistic Shinto are prevalent.
Divination is rampant in Aomori as there are many sites which hold spiritual significance for adherents to Shinto. For example, Mount Osore, which according to popular mythology marks the entrance to Hell, is famous for its many spiritual mediums.
Church attendees only account for 0.001% of Aomori's population and there is one church for every 19,725 people, with the average church attendance at 26.

Please pray for:

• The deep spiritual strongholds to be shattered by Christ's authority
• The few churches in Aomori, that they would display God's unity
• The 47 towns and villages with no churches at all, that they would be reached by those willing to be the feet of Jesus, bringing His Good News
• God's Kingdom to come fully to Aomori

"...He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives..." - Luke 4:18b

(2) Akita Prefecture, Japan.
The people of Akita show much loyalty to their prefecture (second only to Okinawans). This is a very conservative region as temples and shrines, along with old customs and traditions, have a deep influence. 0.001% of the population attend some sort of worship service and there is one church for every 19,562 people.

Please pray for:

• The other 48 towns and villages with no church
• The missionaries who are serving in this prefecture would have strength from the Lord and would be used by Him to love these people
• The Gospel to reach every individual in Akita
• That God would draw many hurting people to Himself from this area

"Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" - John 8:12

(1) Healing of Churches
Until now, it has been said that the number of churches in Japan is small. However, God will never give up on Japan because of these approximately 7,000 churches. There is God's plan set in each place. Let us pray for the restoration of the church's identity!

(2) Healing of pastors
Pastors are called by God and keep running. There are many who are exhausted from sacrificing their lives as a person, their families, and everything else. May they remember that they are God's children before they are pastors, and may they be restored both spiritually and physically.

(3) Healing of each one of us
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
Isaiah 61:1-2.

This is the Word of God the Father when He sent Jesus. Just as God the Father sent Jesus, He sent us in the same way.
Put your name in the “me (Jesus)" part and pray that He will send you to the captives!

Pray that the blessings of salvation will be spread to families from those who were saved as the firstfruits. Pray that the work will be fulfilled this year.
Pray that children born in Christian homes will inherit the faith. That the Word of God would be put into practice in the home.
Pray that the witness of Christ would be given to friends.
That the church would be a safe place for all who visit.
That we would have more wisdom to witness the gospel.
That we may witness to the Lord and confess our faith without fear.
That we may pray and act trusting in the Lord, envisioning the day of salvation.