Partners in Prayer for Japan
November, 2008
“I would be disobeying the Lord if I stopped praying for you!”
(I Samuel 12:23)
Please join us for our ‘Days of Payer’ each Tuesday – (4th, 11th, 18th, 25th)
Greater Tokyo Mega Center
Prayer Advocate – Melanie Brents
Website - http://imbtokyo.org/
November 1st - Lindsey has been meeting with her neighbor Chi for Bible study. Chi said that when she reads about Jesus' miracles and resurrection, it's like a wall goes up in her heart that prevents her from believing. But she says she wants to continue to read anyway. Please pray that God would break down the walls in her heart and give her the faith to believe! (Trent and Lindsey Roberts)
November 2nd – During November, Tokyo will become full of Christmas decorations and advertisements. The Japanese are fascinated by the Christmas season although they know practically nothing about its meaning. Please pray that this special season will provide many opportunities for Japanese to hear the Gospel and that hearts would be open to the story of our Savior.
November 3rd – A-San has gotten married and moved into her new apartment just a few blocks from ours. She was so excited that now we can meet more! We have met her new husband and they have wanted us to come eat at their home when they get settled. We are excited about the possibilities of their friendship and interest in the Lord. God has moved them closer to us geographically; pray with us that He will move them closer to Himself through our relationship. (Kelly and Drew Dowden)
November 4th – In a land with so little access to men, who typically work 80 hour weeks to take care of their families, Mark is amazed at how many of these men he is getting to spend quality time with. Pray that the time together with these men will be fruitful for the Kingdom. Pray that these men will find the one true God. Ask God to transform these families. (Mark and Mie Busby)
November 5th – A dynamic Christian leader in Tokyo that missionaries have worked closely with over the years is in a state of emergency. He is on the verge of loosing his family and ministry. Pray that God will save their family from divorce. Pray that God will give this man wisdom during this time.
November 6th – Mr. Ka was first contacted through 5 Minute English. Since that first encounter, various other approaches have also been taken in presenting the good news of Christ to him. He even volunteered to help in a local church service/feeding to the homeless in a park! Yet he shows very little interest in his own need for salvation through Jesus. Pray for the Holy Spirit to somehow change and break his hardness of heart.
November 7th – Thank you for praying last month for the new house church network in West Tokyo. God continues to bring new seekers and to give the vision for a new church network to our Japanese partner, Ma-san. Please pray that God will protect this vision in his heart. Pray that those who attend will clearly understand the love of Christ and his desire for a relationship with them. (Buddy and Melanie Brents)
November 8th – Shichi Go San means "Seven Five Three". Girls age three and seven, and boys of age three and five, celebrate the day on November 15th by going to the Shinto shrine for prayer. They do this in the hope of having good health and good fortune. Please pray for the children of Tokyo to come to know the one true God who can give them eternal peace and hope.
November 9th – Josh Park will be organizing a Homeless Thanksgiving Event on November 22nd in Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park. Last year they were able to minister to approx. 300 people through this event. Please pray that as they distribute food and clothing and share the good news of Jesus Christ that many of those who come will be saved. Pray that God will provide the clothing and food items needed for this day as well.
November 10th – These recent weeks have been financially hard for many people around the world. Japan is no exception. Please pray that during these times of financial uncertainty, that Japanese people will be more open than ever to a relationship with Jesus. Pray that God will use this time of financial crisis as an opportunity to reveal Himself in a whole new way to the Japanese people.
Japan’s Cities, Towns, and Villages
Prayer Advocate – Lana Oue
Websites - http://outreachjapan.org/ and www.jgpnetwork.org
November 11th - Shizuoka: Since we have been going to the hospital every day to see our daughter, we have had opportunities to talk to doctors and nurses. We have told them that we have peace only because of our faith in the Lord. Please pray that we can be a greater witness to them. Pray especially for S-sensei, a doctor who speaks English. ben@outreachjapan.org
November 12th – Shizuoka: Pray for the group of believers in Shizuoka. We have been away from the group, and it has been a time of growth for them as they begin to see what it will be like when on their own. Pray that they would catch the vision not just to survive, but also to thrive and reproduce. ben@outreachjapan.org
November 13th - Sendai: Recently, Kevin was able to talk to Da-san who is a swim coach at the gym where his daughter takes swimming lessons. Da-san and Kevin both enjoy writing their own songs. They will get together soon to share their songs with each other. Since Kevin's music is always about the Lord, this will be a great opportunity to give a testimony about Jesus. Please pray that Da-san's heart will open to the gospel and that the Holy Spirit will draw him to Jesus. Kevin@outreachjapan.org
November 14th - Sendai: Ka-chan is friends with a Christian girl in her 2nd grade class. She goes to this girls' house every week to study and play with her. The Christian girl who is friends with Ka-chan is very out spoken about her faith in Jesus. Please pray that as Ka-chan is in this Christian family's home that when she hears the gospel the eyes of her heart will be enlightened to understand and place her faith in Jesus. Donna@outreachjapan.org
November 15th - Fukuoka: H-san and N-san, university freshmen girls, have gone through the first chapter of Genesis. They learned that God created the world, that we are created in God's image, that God made things by speaking his word, and that God rested. Pray that they will continue to want this Bible study time, and will grow to the point that when they learn who Jesus is they will be willing to accept him into their hearts. nancy@outreachjapan.org
November 16th - Fukuoka: R. and M. Naka, a young doctor family, for whom you already prayed, have come over a couple more times. We got out our Bibles when the baby went to sleep, but were unable to finish before he woke up. We did perceive that R (Mrs.) reads the Bible with her heart, but M (Mr.) reads it with his head. He has much head knowledge of history, and is looking for evidence that Jesus was really God. Pray as we continue to develop our relationship with them, that a heart of faith will take over and allow both of them to accept Jesus. nancy@outreachjapan.org
November 17th - Fukuoka: Tomo works at Wendy's and accepted a card when we ordered lunch one day. She texted a message, and within a couple of weeks we had met. She accepted a bracelet from which the gospel had been shared with her, but rejected the manga Bible that was offered. Pray that a trust relationship can be built with her, and that she will want to know more about Jesus. nancy@outreachjapan.org
November 18th - Okayama: The Shadburnes are settling in to their new assignment and following Japanese custom are visiting the neighbors who live beside them on the left and right, the one behind them and the one across the street. Pray that these neighbors who see this young family will see Jesus in their lives and will have open hearts to receive the gospel message that they share through word and deed. jctv@outreachjapan.org
November 19th - Okinawa: Mr. Miku went out with his friend to share the gospel at the park. They met five junior high students and told them about Jesus. All five prayed to receive Jesus. Please pray for the men to be able to follow up with these students. Pray for these five students and others who hear the gospel to follow through with baptism and become faithful witnesses for Christ. jctv@outreachjapan.org
November 20th - November is marked by the holiday called "Thanksgiving" both in Japan and the States. The Japanese holiday is a way to acknowledge their thankfulness to have a job, although the unemployment rate is rising. More Japanese are experiencing difficulties in their finances just for everyday things and have anxiety about the economic situation. Pray that they can find the One who provides for our daily needs and give their worries and concerns to Him. Pray that they can understand what a truly thankful heart is and be willing to see that "every good and perfect gift comes from above".
Japan’s Central Mega Cities
Prayer Advocate – Cindy Reynolds
Website - http://westjapanmegacity.org/JUI/Welcome.html
November 21st – Several house church members have family who are battling cancer: Naoyuki and Kazuhiko. Please pray that God would show them a special miracle so that people may believe there is only one Healer who is able to cure all sickness. Pray that during these difficult days God will strengthen the Christians' faith and give them extra strength to minister to these relatives. (Paul and Yumi Cho, Kobe)
November 22nd – TR made a hand woven chair cushion using the gospel colors. A picture of the cushion is Nan's cell phone wallpaper. As Nan and Mrs. CF showed each other pictures of in their cell phones of their crafts, CF noticed the woven cushion wallpaper and asked what it meant. Praise God that because of TR's new faith and creativity, Nan found a new avenue to share the gospel. (Ed and Nan Jordan, Kansai Deaf)
November 23rd – Moe, whom you have been praying for, was baptized in October. She has grown in her Christian walk, and she is eagerly sharing her testimony with friends, family, and even those she meets for the first time. Pray for her to see someone respond to the Gospel soon. Pray that her desire to win others will be passed on to other new believers, too. (Liz Welsch, Osaka)
November 24th – Pray for M-san as she witnesses to and mentors two believers who have not been baptized. It is her desire to see these two believers be obedient in their faith through baptism. Pray for Wang and Rose Lee as they continue to mentor M-san. (Rose and Wang Lee, Nagoya)
November 25th – Pray for K-san and A-san who have been feeling God's direction in spreading the gospel through House Churches in the west Nagoya area. This couple recently contacted Hank & Linda concerning information on House Church and CPM principles. Pray for the Japanese to catch the vision as God gives us opportunities as Ms to cast the vision of Japanese reaching Japanese to spread the Gospel in this land. (Hank and Linda Lee, Nagoya)
November 26th – When traveling overseas, many Japanese feel freedom to explore Christianity for the first time. Many of these seekers become believers while they're away. Upon returning to Japan, these individuals usually experience difficulty in readjusting and oppression from the enemy. H-san works with these returnees, helping them find fellowship and encouragement through like-minded believers. Pray for H-san as she disciples these individuals, that they would boldly share their new-found faith. (Nagoya)
November 27th – Last month you prayed for Mrs. Motoyama. She had a good opportunity to share her faith with her sister, and her sister is asking more and more questions about Jesus. Now Mrs. Motoyama is trying to tell her in-laws about Jesus, too. Her mother-in-law is elderly and not well though. Please pray for her to understand what her daughter-in-law is saying to her. Pray for relatives and neighbors to come to Christ through Mrs. Motoyama's witness. (Osaka)
November 28th – A policeman in a local police station often chats with a missionary who lives in the neighborhood. They discuss the latest crimes in the city and topics that are on the news. Pray for this policeman to be open to discussing faith and God's Word. Pray that this policeman and others who try to prevent crime each day will come to know the meaning of sin and how people's hearts can be truly changed through Jesus' death and resurrection. (Ron Reynolds, Osaka)
November 29th – You prayed for Liz Welsch and Barbara Dunbar to meet people in their new apartment building. You prayed for the Sanders family to meet people in their neighborhood and in their apartment building. You prayed for the Bonacci family to meet people in their apartment building and to be able to worship with one of the families in the building. God has answered all those prayers. Thank Him with us for these new contacts, and continue to pray for faith for these new friends to become believers. (Osaka)
November 30th – Pray for the Pacific Rim Summit, which will be held November 5-7 at Longview Baptist Church, Olive Branch, Mississippi. Pray for those attending, who are looking to find ways and places to partner in the work in these harvest fields, that they will see God's leading in their lives. Pray for those from the field who will be present, giving presentations and seminars, that they can share their passion for their people groups well. Ask the Lord to open minds and hearts to the variety of ways to serve Him and to give safety in travel and health throughout this time.
Thank you for praying faithfully for the salvation of the Japanese!
We appreciate you, and are encouraged by your partnership with us!
For more info, contact cwalker@mymailworld.com or carltonw@mymailworld.com