Imagine never hearing the truth of God’s Word.
Imagine never being cared for by a local church family.
Right now, for 99.5% of the 127 million Japanese people, this is their reality.
And this is why we pray.
Imagine never hearing the name of Jesus.
Imagine never hearing the name of Jesus.
Imagine never hearing the truth of God’s Word.
Imagine never being cared for by a local church family.
Right now, for 99.5% of the 127 million Japanese people, this is their reality.
And this is why we pray.
SALVATION
The Japanese people are kind, hospitable, and beautifully made in the image of God. However, living in a culture with few acceptable ways to express anger or sadness, many Japanese people hide their personal struggles in daily life and eventually become discouraged or isolated. Loneliness and depression are considered epidemics in the nation of Japan, with over 21,000 people committing suicide every year. Alongside these challenges, substance abuse and high divorce rates expose a deep suffering that grips this nation. Yet, faith in Christ can bring true hope and freedom from this despair, as you will see in the first short film.
CHOOSE A FILM BELOW TO WATCH
Do you struggle with depression or loneliness? So did Yumiko. She hated herself and even dreamt of running in front of a train to end her life. But hope came her way in the last place she expected.
We all suffer at the hands of other people. In Junko’s case, she was abused as a child and found herself isolated and in deep sorrow. Then, a gradual feeling of love grew in her heart and opened the door to a life that she never knew existed.
“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
Reflecting on what you’ve seen, and as the Holy Spirit leads, pray for God’s Kingdom of light to come to Japan using the following suggestions:
Pray that the love of God displayed in Christ Jesus would be known.
Pray for deliverance from depression, shame, and other works of the enemy.
Pray for the Spirit’s conviction of sin and that many would repent and believe in Christ.
SALVATION
The Japanese people are kind, hospitable, and beautifully made in the image of God. However, living in a culture with few acceptable ways to express anger or sadness, many Japanese people hide their personal struggles in daily life and eventually become discouraged or isolated. Loneliness and depression are considered epidemics in the nation of Japan, with over 21,000 people committing suicide every year. Alongside these challenges, substance abuse and high divorce rates expose a deep suffering that grips this nation. Yet, faith in Christ can bring true hope and freedom from this despair, as you will see in the first short film.
CHOOSE A FILM BELOW TO WATCH
Do you struggle with depression or loneliness? So did Yumiko. She hated herself and even dreamt of running in front of a train to end her life. But hope came her way in the last place she expected.
We all suffer at the hands of other people. In Junko’s case, she was abused as a child and found herself isolated and in deep sorrow. Then, a gradual feeling of love grew in her heart and opened the door to a life that she never knew existed.
“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
Reflecting on what you’ve seen, and as the Holy Spirit leads, pray for God’s Kingdom of light to come to Japan using the following suggestions:
Pray that the love of God displayed in Christ Jesus would be known.
Pray for deliverance from depression, shame, and other works of the enemy.
Pray for the Spirit’s conviction of sin and that many would repent and believe in Christ.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
The Japanese people highly esteem success and achievement, especially as it brings honor to your family or community. However, many feel crushed by the weight of these expectations and struggle with feelings of shame, both in themselves and in their relationships. But, when people come to love and follow Jesus, everything changes. Identity is no longer rooted in success or failure but in the undying love of a Heavenly Father. And those who have received the Gospel with joy are transformed from the inside out, as you will see in the next film.
CHOOSE A FILM BELOW TO WATCH
We all have unfulfilled dreams. For Ritsuko, it was finding fame, love, and acceptance. However, when this dream disappeared, a glimmer of hope arose that not only quenched her feelings of despair but provided more love and acceptance than she could ever imagine.
Do you struggle in your marriage? Takashi and Naoko did. Their shame and brokenness left their marriage on the brink of total collapse. Then they found true love…not in each other, but in a person that would transform their family completely.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Reflecting on what you’ve seen, and as the Holy Spirit leads, pray for an outpouring of spiritual growth using the following suggestions:
Pray that the Japanese people would walk in their new identity in Christ.
Pray they would be transformed by reading the Bible and spending time with God in prayer.
Pray that Japanese Christians would joyfully serve and thrive in a local church.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
The Japanese people highly esteem success and achievement, especially as it brings honor to your family or community. However, many feel crushed by the weight of these expectations and struggle with feelings of shame, both in themselves and in their relationships. But, when people come to love and follow Jesus, everything changes. Identity is no longer rooted in success or failure but in the undying love of a Heavenly Father. And those who have received the Gospel with joy are transformed from the inside out, as you will see in the next film.
CHOOSE A FILM BELOW TO WATCH
We all have unfulfilled dreams. For Ritsuko, it was finding fame, love, and acceptance. However, when this dream disappeared, a glimmer of hope arose that not only quenched her feelings of despair but provided more love and acceptance than she could ever imagine.
Do you struggle in your marriage? Takashi and Naoko did. Their shame and brokenness left their marriage on the brink of total collapse. Then they found true love…not in each other, but in a person that would transform their family completely.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Reflecting on what you’ve seen, and as the Holy Spirit leads, pray for an outpouring of spiritual growth using the following suggestions:
Pray that the Japanese people would walk in their new identity in Christ.
Pray they would be transformed by reading the Bible and spending time with God in prayer.
Pray that Japanese Christians would joyfully serve and thrive in a local church.
EVANGELISM
According to research, the Japanese people are one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. For every 200 people there is only one Christian, and for those who come to faith, the path of following Jesus can be difficult. Many are disowned from their families when they choose to follow Christ and get baptized. Additionally, societal norms make it hard for believers to share the Gospel freely where they live and work. Yet, God has not forgotten Japan. He is actively calling more people to Himself and working through them to share the love of Christ with others, as you will see in the final film.
CHOOSE A FILM BELOW TO WATCH
Are you looking for joy in life? As a gifted performer, singing brought Atsushi joy. It also brought him to one of the most unlikely places: a Gospel Choir practice. It wasn’t long before the lyrics he sang opened his eyes to a joy greater than what music alone could provide.
Where were you on March 11, 2011 when the Tohoku earthquake shook Japan? Yuji was at work, and with Tokyo’s power grid shut down, he journeyed on foot across the city to discover a message waiting for him that would change his life forever.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38
Reflecting on what you’ve seen, and as Jesus commanded, pray earnestly for laborers of the harvest in Japan using the following suggestions:
Pray that both Japanese and non-Japanese people would make disciples in Japan.
Pray for their boldness and joy in proclaiming the Gospel.
Pray for unity in the Church, so it can be a great light in the nation.
EVANGELISM
According to research, the Japanese people are one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. For every 200 people there is only one Christian, and for those who come to faith, the path of following Jesus can be difficult. Many are disowned from their families when they choose to follow Christ and get baptized. Additionally, societal norms make it hard for believers to share the Gospel freely where they live and work. Yet, God has not forgotten Japan. He is actively calling more people to Himself and working through them to share the love of Christ with others, as you will see in the final film.
CHOOSE A FILM BELOW TO WATCH
Are you looking for joy in life? As a gifted performer, singing brought Atsushi joy. It also brought him to one of the most unlikely places: a Gospel Choir practice. It wasn’t long before the lyrics he sang opened his eyes to a joy greater than what music alone could provide.
Where were you on March 11, 2011 when the Tohoku earthquake shook Japan? Yuji was at work, and with Tokyo’s power grid shut down, he journeyed on foot across the city to discover a message waiting for him that would change his life forever.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38
Reflecting on what you’ve seen, and as Jesus commanded, pray earnestly for laborers of the harvest in Japan using the following suggestions:
Pray that both Japanese and non-Japanese people would make disciples in Japan.
Pray for their boldness and joy in proclaiming the Gospel.
Pray for unity in the Church, so it can be a great light in the nation.
NEXT STEPS
NEXT STEPS
Thank you for taking time to pray for Japan, but it doesn’t have to end here. Consider some additional ways that you can serve Japan:
Thank you for taking time to pray for Japan, but it doesn’t have to end here. Consider some additional ways that you can serve Japan:
Learn more by checking out our Japan Resource Guide.
Pray for Japan in your daily prayer life.
Host a Japan prayer gathering with others.
