3:1 (2 Timothy) “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.”

Difficult times have come, just as the Bible tells us. Wars and rumors of war are our daily reality in 2026. Every man for himself. Discontentment and hopelessness is rampant all around the world. In Japan, there are many who have either shut-in themselves from society to live in isolation or they find a way to be erased from society so they can “disappear” from the unbearable rat race.

If this is true across the globe, why focus on Japan at this time? Well, whenever March rolls around, I cannot help recalling 3-11-11. When the tsunami happened and the images were shown on the news, I was in disbelief. As the water swirled, God stirred in my heart concern and love for this nation. Surely, God will use this devastation for the sake of the greater good for Japan. Through this suffering, God can cause the people to know the love of God in Christ Jesus. Surely this is God’s hand of mercy. And I was earnestly joining others to pray for this land of the rising sun. But I was not persistent. 

Forgive me for not persisting, Lord God. But You have not forgotten the people of Japan. We rejoin You in Your faithful intercessions for the people whom You created in Your image and likeness and for whom the Lord Jesus was crucified. In these difficult days, use Your sent out ones scattered throughout Japan, Your Church in Japan, to make known the hope-giving, death-conquering life of Jesus.

In Jesus’ mighty name.