Japan saw more deaths due to suicide in October 2020 than from COVID-19 all year long. Please pray for God’s mercy for this people and country, for the light that has shone in the darkness to shine on the Japanese people, by the almighty power of God (Is. 9:2; 2 Cor. 4:6).
CNN reports: "In Japan, government statistics show suicide claimed more lives in October than Covid-19 has over the entire year to date. The monthly number of Japanese suicides rose to 2,153 in October, according to Japan's National Police Agency. As of Friday, Japan's total Covid-19 toll was 2,087, the health ministry said.”
Though Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, there had been a gradual decrease in suicides over the past 10 years. But, according to the article, "The pandemic appears to have reversed that trend, and the rise in suicides has disproportionately affected women. Although they represent a smaller proportion of total suicides than men, the number of women taking their own lives is increasing. In October, suicides among women in Japan increased almost 83% compared to the same month the previous year. For comparison, male suicides rose almost 22% over the same time period.”
Let us come before the Lord today, and in the days ahead, and plead with Him to grant rescue for the Japanese people who feel hopeless and are on the verge of taking their own lives. Please pray for God’s grace to be manifest to them and that He will stay their hand from taking their lives. Please pray for Japanese women, too, that the Lord will cover Him with their wings and bring them into his eternal kingdom in Christ.
Let us continually pray for the Lord to prepare Japanese people's hearts for the Gospel and for God’s people to take the Gospel to these people who are still stumbling in the darkness. Please pray for the Gospel to take root in their hearts and for eternal life to be granted to Japanese men, women, and children. In Jesus's Name we pray, Amen.
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