,,,
As all eyes turn to Tokyo for the Olympics, Japanese Christians are inviting the global church to unite for a million hours of prayer for the spiritual transformation of their nation.
Japan1Million is an international prayer movement led by the Japan international Sports Partnership (JiSP) and the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association (JEMA) during the 30 days of the Olympics and Paralympics.
“Our sports partnership is driven by a vision to see the church in Japan grow to 10 million people by 2024,” said JiSP director Pastor Keishi Ikeda.
“We had hoped to reach a million Japanese people during our Olympic outreach year. Covid closed those doors, but one door remained open – the door to prayer.”
Less than one per cent of its population of 126 million attends church, making the Japanese the world’s second largest un-reached people group. Most people in Japan have never been to church, read the Bible or even know any Christians.
SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH
“Committed prayer is needed for a significant spiritual breakthrough in Japan. We believe Alfred Tennyson words, ‘more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of,’” said Pastor Keishi.
Individuals, families, churches and organizations can register on the Japan1Million website to access daily prayer updates, information about Japan and Zoom gatherings led by the JiSP and JEMA teams.
In partnership with the YouVersion Bible app, the team has also launched Pray 4 Japan, a 17-day Bible and prayer plan available globally in English and Japanese.
“When things were difficult, the early church would move into a season of prayer. We believe this is what God is saying to the church in Japan. We can’t do the mission we had planned, but we can pray,” said Pastor Keishi.
“Our medal is not sporting achievement. Rather it is to see the glory and power of God manifested through the unity of his church,” says a prayer partner in Brazil who is rallying Christians to join in sport and prayer for Japan.
“It’s time to see the spiritual darkness broken up and to see a mighty move of the Holy Spirit. I am so happy to be a part of this,” says Leo Kaylor, a missionary who served in Japan for 68 years.
“Imagine the impact of hundreds of thousands of Jesus followers around the world praying with one accord for just one nation? What would God do?” asks Nathan Snow, the chair of JEMA.
“We are preparing for the greatest movement of united prayer in reaching Japan for Christ. Will you join us?”
