This Week’s Prayer Guide
July 19 – This week we are praying for the Chinese diaspora in Japan. Since the Reform and Opening of mainland China, there has been a steady stream of Chinese immigrants coming to Japan, along with church planters and missionaries who are seeking to reach them. Pray that the Lord will work through their faithful service to bring many Chinese and Japanese people to Christ.
July 20 – As in many other countries, Chinese immigrants to Japan came in different waves: first came for money, then those who came for work and education, and lately those who came to give their family a new start outside of China. These immigrants and their children feel a varying sense of security and belonging in Japan. May the Lord meet their needs for stability and deep relationships in Japan.
July 21 – Because Japan is such a closed culture, it takes a long time to be considered “one of them.” Some Chinese immigrants have lived in Japan for decades and yet still have no Japanese friends. Chinese children who grew up in Japan struggle with the question of identity. May the Lord help them see their identity in Christ, and adopt them into the family of God.
July 22 – Faith transmission to the next generation is a major challenge for Chinese Christian families in Japan. Not only that parents and children differ in their sense of identity, the pressure of academic life often conflict with children’s church attendance. Please pray that these children will seek first the Kingdom of God before they seek affirmation from Japanese society.
July 23 – One major challenge for evangelism is the lack of men in churches. Because their work pressure is extremely high, coming to church is a significant challenge. While many husbands support their wives going to church, they themselves do not believe. Please pray that the Lord will soften the hearts of these men, and that they will begin to recognize their need for deep relationship with Christ.
July 24 – As Chinese immigrants and their children seek to be more deeply integrated into the Japanese society, planting a Chinese church in Japan can serve as a cross-cultural bridge to reach the Japanese people. May God lead the Chinese churches in Japan to become a light in the city, and may the testimony of the Chinese believers lead their Japanese neighbors to seek answers in Christ.
July 25 – A Chinese church planter in Japan asked for prayer that they can live out what they believe and learn about God in their daily lives. Pray that the Holy Spirit will raise up his work among their church, and enable them to build a beautiful and intimate community living before God.