Let us pray for our Japanese brothers and sisters in Christ to rejoice and rest in the glorious truth that God, in every circumstance, is working all things together for their good (Romans 8:28). Pray that they will not lose heart but remember that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to them” (Romans 8:18).
This time last year we prayed the following prayers for our Japanese brothers and sisters, and I want to invite us to pray again, especially during May which can be a very hard month for people as many people struggle with depression in May (called Gogatsubyou or "May blues).
Walking through seasons of suffering, depression, struggle whatever type of suffering it is, can be such a lonely, confusing, and overwhelming time. The Lord is always gracious to his children, and, in seasons of suffering, he is always with us and will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Let us pray for these truths to sink deeply in the hearts of all Japanese followers of Christ.
Let us pray that they will truly believe that the Lord is working all things together for their good, for they have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), pray that by God’s grace they will live out 1 Peter 4:19, which says: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
And, finally, pray that as the Lord leads them through he deems best for their ultimate good, that they will not lose heart, remembering that this “light momentary affliction is preparing for [them] an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as [they] look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18a). And let us pray for those who do not have this hope in Christ, that they will come to believed on the Lord Jesus and enter into his perfect rest.
In Jesus's Name we pray, Amen.
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