How do You Pray Effectively for Us and for Japan?
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
1. John 3:8
Serving in a foreign culture and facing various adverse spiritual influences can be challenging and exhausting. Therefore, it is very important for us to know that we have partners in prayer who not only bring our concerns before God and cover us spiritually, but also actively strengthen and expand the kingdom of God in Japan through prayer.
The Fight is Real
Japan is a country that, due to thousands of years of spirit worship, suffers from severe spiritual oppression in many places. Many people in Japan are affected by fear and loneliness, or are not receptive to God’s voice. We also regularly encounter spiritual resistance of various kinds and have experienced that in some places the spiritual darkness is clearly noticeable, much more so than in the West.
Japan is a country that, due to thousands of years of spirit worship, suffers from severe spiritual oppression in many places. Many people in Japan are affected by fear and loneliness, or are not receptive to God’s voice. We also regularly encounter spiritual resistance of various kinds and have experienced that in some places the spiritual darkness is clearly noticeable, much more so than in the West. We do not mean this in a derogatory way toward the Japanese people. We love the people of Japan and desire that they may live out their God-given freedom and use their talents for good. Our indignation is directed against those spiritual powers that unjustly hold this people in spiritual bondage, and we work together with Jesus, our Lord, who came to set the captives free (Isa 61:1-2) and to destroy the works of Satan (1John 3:8).
Light in the Darkness
In the face of these massive spiritual strongholds, some say that the ground in Japan is hard and that it is very difficult for the gospel to gain a foothold. But we believe that God is at work here, as in every other place on earth, building His kingdom by touching people’s hearts and shining His light into the darkness. No prayer or act of love is in vain, and we have the promise that the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church of Jesus’ followers (Mat 16:18) and that in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Rom 8:37).
Engaging the Spiritual Battle Offensively
If you would like to support our ministry through prayer and participate in God’s work in Japan, we would be grateful if you would also consider these spiritual aspects and use the full range of prayer that is available to us:
In prayer, we come boldly and with confidence before God’s throne of grace, and make our requests known to God with supplication and thanksgiving (Heb 4:16; Phil 4:6-7).
In prayer, we speak in the authority of Jesus who lives in us (Col 1:27).
In prayer, we proclaim Jesus’ victory and declare every resistance of the enemy null and void (Jam 4:7).
In prayer, we let God’s light and knowledge shine in every dark place (Ps 43:3).
In prayer, we open the eyes of the blind and lead captives into freedom (Luke 4:18).
In prayer, we speak healing over the mentally and physically sick (Mark 16:18).
In prayer, we ask that doors be opened for the Word of God and that it may speed ahead and be honored (Col 4:3; 2Thes 3:1).
In prayer, we tear down spiritual strongholds and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God (2Cor 10:3-5).