Pray For…Japan

Stats
•Population – 126,804,433
•Percentage of Evangelicals – 0.4%
•Total Number of People Groups – 18
•Number of Unreached People Groups – 15
•Language Spoken – Japanese
•Major Religion – Shintoism (83.9%), Buddhism (71.4%), Christianity, Other
•Human Development Rank – 10
•Persecution Index – N/A

After World War II, Japan underwent major rebuilding, turning itself into one of the largest economies in the world. Japan’s long history of culture and innovation remained strong through the recovery and subsequent prosperity. Japan’s culture has also contributed to difficulty in the spread of the Gospel. The Japanese are one of the largest unreached people groups in the world with a population of over 127 million. The church in Japan is small and in need of strength. Over the last 7 or 8 years, God has used instabilities in Japan’s economy and political system to show people their need for Christ. There is still great difficulty facing the church. Although there is not widespread persecution of Christians, many who profess faith in Christ receive intense pressure from friends and family to renounce their faith and return to Japanese culture of ancestor worship and other beliefs.

•Pray for God to work in the hearts of many so they see their need for the Gospel.
•Ask God to strengthen His church and give a vision to national church leaders.
•Pray that God move amongst the Japanese and bring them to saving faith in Christ.
•Pray for Christians in Japan who are experiencing pressure to abandon their faith to stand strong in the faith while showing God’s grace to those around them.