Praying for Japan

Our ANEW team prays together every Tuesday. We come from Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Malawi, New Zealand, Costa Rica and the United States but unite to pray together with one heart! On April 1st, we prayed for Japan. Mimi, Sharon and I shared the issues facing Japan and Japanese churches.

The Gospel first reached Japan in 1549 but from 1614 for about 250 years, Christianity was banned by the government and Japanese Christians were persecuted harshly. Although the legal ban has been lifted, the Christian population in Japan has never exceeded 1%. Japan is known as one of the most challenging countries for missionary work, with many churches lacking pastors, and pastors often needing to work outside the church.

Moreover, Japan faces many issues related to families such as the declining birthrate and aging population, compensated dating, dark part-time jobs, social withdrawal, and high suicide rate among young people. Many Japanese people, especially young people, have little hope for the future. Marriage relationships, parent-child relationships are tenuous and the foundations of family relationships are being shaken

After sharing these dark issues over Japan, Holy Spirit led us to pray for Japanese families with Pastor Eiji and C-mo Yasuko from the Hesed 611, a branch church in Japan were visiting Hong Kong. Led by the Holy Spirit, Pastor Eiji and C-mo Yasuko prayed in repentance on behalf of the parent generation in Japan for neglecting family relationships. Mimi and I, representing the next generation of children, prayed in repentance for not honouring and loving our parents. We prayed for reconciliation between parents and children in Japan, and for healing and restoration of family relationships. The others surrounded the four of us and we all prayed together with one heart.

The presence of God was strong and evident. There was a prophetic word about revival in marriages and families in Japan (Isaiah 61:1-3). In the past, I often felt disappointed because other nations have experienced revivals, but there has never been a revival in Japan. God spoke into my heart that He would never abandon or forsake Japan and keep pouring His love and power to heal and restore families in Japan.

When I saw people from the other nations surrounded us and pray for Japan with love and passion, I was very touched and cried because I no longer needed to feel discouraged and lonely. Because we unite as a big family of the Tree of Life, I believe that the vision of planting Tree of Life churches all over Japan will surely come true!

No matter how dark the news in this world may be, God hears our prayers and comes to save my country. I trust that Isaiah 61:11 will come to pass in the near future. “For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.” I was encouraged and empowered by this prayer meeting. I declare that the seeds of revival that God has planted in the hearts of Japanese Christians will eventually sprout, and God’s glory and praise will overflow throughout Japan!

Miho Nishikawa