With less than 1% evangelical, the Japanese need your prayers. Join in the monthly day of prayer and fasting on Thursday, August 2, for the Osaka Metropolitan Area of Japan. A total of over 17 million people live in the 128 municipalities and 29 cities in this area. It is rich in culture, history, and economic opportunity, but it is spiritually impoverished. Most people living in these modern cities follow Buddhism or Shinto traditions. Pray that believers will share their faith boldly. Ask God to prepare the volunteer teams coming in the next year with an understanding of the Japanese and the ministry needed in this area. Check for more specific prayer requests at www.go2pacrim.org
Two interns, a GCC partner, and IMB team members will try various methods of reaching into the world and relationships of young businessmen and professionals in the inner core of Tokyo, Japan this summer. Prayerwalks will be a major part of the strategy. Pray for a major breakthrough in this area and that the eyes of these influential people will be opened so they can be used like Matthew or Zaccheus, the tax collectors, within their circle of relationships.
When a young Japanese lady received a Bible from a Christian friend, she told her, "The timing for receiving this is perfect. I wouldn’t have been open to this before, but now I have a real interest in knowing who Jesus is." Pray that this lady will realize that perfect timing is God’s plan for her life. Pray that she will become a believer, walk with the Lord daily, and then see His perfect timing as He uses her to lead others to the Lord.
Pray for Seiko, Shoko, and Kazumi --- Japanese in Australia who have shown great interest in studying the Bible and attending Sunday services. Pray for them as they start a journey of faith, seeking answers for their lives through God’s Word.
Pray for an Australian mission team of high school kids coming to do evangelism in Japan during the week of Aug 25 - Sept 3. This is their first experience sharing the gospel cross-culturally. Pray that God will grant them a positive experience and encouraging encounters with many Japanese.
As one looks at a nation where new work is desired and specifically at one island within that nation, it is evident that a growing, strengthening presence of followers of the majority religion are making major efforts to "re-educate" the populace. Increasing external pressure for residents to conform to the orthodox way of practicing the majority religion leaves followers of Christ fearful and concerned. With more access to the people and money to invest in the economy, the leaders of this religion have a legitimate, unquestioned purpose for being there and local government officials are supporting them. In spite of this, the love of Christ is making a difference as believers reach out to those who have never known unconditional love. Pray for workers to love boldly and courageously at all costs for Jesus’ sake. Pray that they will live a life worthy of His calling and will be willing to suffer for Him in these difficult places.
During a recent survey trip among the PK people, a team experienced multiple opportunities to share the Good News and to encourage existing believers. Pray for Mr. T in the City of Brass, Mr. F in the palace, and Mr. R. in Tree City, asking that seeds planted will be nurtured and grow. Lift up a radio program being aired in the area asking for open ears and hearts to hear and receive the Word of Truth.
Intercede for Korean college students who will spend one month in the Philippines working with Unreached People Groups (UPGs) during July and August. These are the first students to go with Nehemiah Teams of Korea. They have experienced extensive training during this past year and are ready to go. Ask that they will be bold witnesses for the Lord and will find many persons of peace who are willing to begin Bible studies in their homes.
Because of the low cost of used VCD players in one last frontier country, many countryside peoples have VCD players and TVs that run off car batteries. One hundred fifty VCDs of a religious film were distributed to leaders from 17 villages at a training. Pray that many will witness the showing of these films in the many villages and believe in Christ.
"You are a liar! Why are you teaching our children, if all you teach is lies?" This is what Berlyn, a Filipina teenager heard while gathering children for Bible study in Siyatin. Spiritual battles are being waged every week. Berlyn has suffered persecution on several occasions, yet she just walked on by and did what she came to do. Not only is Berlyn stronger for the persecution, but she wisely modeled to her co-workers and the children that God’s Word is bigger than insults thrown at you. Siyatin is in a beautiful place with friendly people, but strange cults and superstitions blind the people’s minds. Pray that God will give them spiritual sight and that many will be saved.
Pray for Operation Go! workers. These volunteers take monthly trips to share the Good News and plant fellowships in needy areas of a last frontier country. Pray that the Holy Spirit will go before them to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the Lord.
Yun is a 45-year-old single mother who lives with much fear and worry. Her poor education, family loyalty, and fear of spirits hold her captive, despite many discussions about the One who could set her free. Recently, when we prayed over one of her concerns, she felt a distinct sense of peace and witnessed an outcome better than imagined. Pray that her sense of need and desire for freedom will overcome the things that hold her captive and that she will be free indeed!
Pray for national leaders to rise up among the L/H&M people. Leadership training is not a high priority among these people because so much time is required just to make a living. Pray that the believers will catch a vision for their people and will share the Gospel as they work together.
In one village, a lesson was taught about temptation and adultery through the story of David and Bathsheba. One of the village leaders pulled the workers aside and quietly asked "How did you know?" We said "Know what?" He whispered, "That guy over there is on the verge of committing adultery with that woman in the blue shirt. Your lesson was just in time!" Thank God for His guidance in the lives and ministries of workers. Pray for the people being taught to rise up and be believers who can teach others.
Pray for the salvation of a woman named Pua Sii. For several months since her believing mother died, workers have been sharing with her. On the last visit Pua Sii showed a strong interest in becoming a believer. Pray for her to be strongly convicted of sin and to see her need for Christ without fearing what men will say.
Praise God that a worker was able to take twenty-four copies of the Word into the prison for men to use in their new fellowship. The men are from Nepal, Malaysia, Burma, China, Singapore, Japan and Laos. Pray for spiritual growth and their new lives to be light and salt to all who are still in darkness in the prison.
Long is a twelve year old girl who was recently orphaned when her dad died unexpectedly. As a believer for less than a year, she was faithful even in grief. When asked why she refused to perform the rituals, she boldly professed the Lord and witnessed to her whole family. Her step-mother has been drinking more since her husband died, and she has beaten Long several times as a result of her drunkenness. Thus, Long went to live with her aunt. Since then she has been shuffled from family member to family member, and she is now living with her sister in Bangkok. Pray that God will keep her safe in Bangkok, that she will be able to study in a school there, and that she will always be a bold witness for the Lord.
Samai, a 60 year old man, understands the benefit of loving his neighbor and is open to hearing about the One True God. He is a man of peace. When one neighborhood was unreceptive to help offered, he found another neighborhood that was open. Pray that the Lord will draw Samai to Himself and use him to lead others to Him. Pray that the Lord will expose the spiritual needs of those who did receive the physical help offered to them.
Join local believers in praying for more than 100 volunteers to serve in the Korean-American Partnership Crusades in needy areas of South Korea this fall. Plans for this event are underway in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 1907 Revival when the number of Christians doubled in Korea.
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