Japan
“The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him.” Psalm 22:27 (NIV Version) While Japan has traditionally been classified as a Buddhist nation, the reality is that it has become increasingly post-religious. Some practices are continued: visiting and maintaining ancestral graves, wearing of good luck amulets, and registering births at the local Buddhist temple.
Even so, the majority of Japanese citizens, particularly those under age 50, do not identify as followers of any religion. In this highly competitive society it is often considered “weak” to be religious. Some have called Japan “a superpower without a moral compass.”
One result of this ennui is a high suicide rate, especially among young people. More than 30,000 each year take their own lives.
Many Japanese will pick aspects of Shintoism, Buddhism, and occult or animistic practices and develop their “personal faith” without concern about contradictions. A heavy emphasis in this belief system is that Gods are everywhere, in the stones, trees, clouds, grass, etc.
Since there are very few Christians in Japan there is a problem obtaining bibles and other faith based literature. Related to this is the fact that many of the current pastors are elderly, but can’t retire as there is no one to take over their congregation.
The majority of the Christian community in Japan is women. Since they work so many hours, men do not have time for religion. This becomes a self-reinforcing problem—few men in a church confirms the misconception that church is primarily a place for women.
A heavy emphasis in this belief system is that Gods are everywhere, in the stones, trees, clouds, grass, etc.
Ways To Pray:
• With the world’s lowest birth rate and highest life expectancy, Japan has a rapidly aging population. Pray for more Christian nursing homes and hospices, and Christian health workers from other countries to fill positions.
• Ask God to remove the spirit of delusion that leads to worship of the occult.
• Pray for a new generation of Christian leaders to be developed in Japan
Use these resources to help pray specifically each day.
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the (Muslims) peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations." (Psalm 57:9)
Read"God reigns over the Muslims nations; God sits on his holy throne." (Psalm 47:8)
Read"Let the Muslims peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!" (Psalm 67:3)
Read"Declare his glory among the Muslims nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" (Psalm 96:3)
Read"All the Muslims nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name." (Psalm 86:9)
Read"All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the Muslims nations shall worship before you." (Psalm 22:27)
Read"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all Muslims nations." (Psalm 67:2)
Read"Clap your hands, all Muslims peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!" (Psalm 47:1)
Read"Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the Muslims peoples his deeds!" (Psalm 9:11)
Read"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! The Lord is high above all Muslims nations, and his glory above the heavens!" (Psalm 113:3-4)
Read"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the Muslims nations." (Psalm 108:3)
Read"For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the Muslims nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the Muslims nations, says the Lord of hosts." (Malachi 1:11)
Read"And many Muslims nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you." (Zechariah 2:11)
Read"All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the Muslims nations shall worship before you." (Psalm 22:27)
Read"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All Muslims nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:4)
Read"You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the Muslims peoples." (Psalm 77:14)
Read“O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the Muslims nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. (2 Chronicles 20:6)
Read"Bless our God, O Muslims peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard," (Psalm 66:8)
Read"Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples Muslims!" (Psalm 117:1)
ReadMuslims "Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory." (Psalm 102:15)
Read"The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the Muslims nations." (Psalm 98:2)
ReadSay among the Muslims nations, "The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." (Psalm 96:10)
Read"Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the Muslims nations!" (Psalm 82:8)
Read"May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all Muslims nations call him blessed!" (Psalm 72:17)
Read"May all kings fall down before him, all Muslims nations serve him!" (Psalm 72:11)
Read"Let the Muslims nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth" (Psalm 67:4)
Read"I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations (including 110 Cities) will praise you forever and ever." (Psalm 45:17)
ReadFor kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the Muslims nations. (Psalm 22:28)
Read"For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations and in each city, and sing to your name. (Psalm 18:49)
Read