3:2 (Psalm) “many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah.” Psalm‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬

It’s often said that Japan is the “graveyard for missionaries.” Why is that? Because the “success” rate is so low and the progress at an apparent snail’s pace. I have seen missionaries come and go over the years.  Some of them even walk away from the faith because of it. “Japan doesn’t need God, they have it all together,” is often said. 

But what Japan needs is more prayer and more people not to preach at them but to walk along side them in life. The reality is that so many Japanese people are extremely lonely. They are great at putting on a happy face but the heart inside is imploding. 

What gets Japanese people to want Jesus is when they walk alongside Christians going through similar struggles as they do but don’t end up slipping into depression like they do. Instead. they actually seem to thrive through the experience.  This makes the Japanese curious. “What do Christians have that I don’t” becomes the thought. 

We reach them by doing life with them and showing them we are all more similar than different. 

The enemy whispers to us that it is impossible to reach the Japanese. And he whispers to the Japanese that they are different and they don’t need salvation. But oh Lord, they do! Everyone needs salvation. Not just for themselves, families get restored, friendships heal, hope appears, and God’s purpose is fulfilled. And we find that there is more to life than just work. 

So we pray not just for more laborers, but more Japanese to be saved so as to live out the Christ life in their neighborhoods and among their colleagues. This is how people got saved in the first century. The gospel spread through family, friendship, and community.  Our Lord Jesus, the bright morning star will soon appear and dispel all the darkness of the night. Until then,

Lord God, we pray that You will light up the hearts of the people of Japan. Dispel the darkness and isolation. You set the solitary into families. Bring them into Your family. They are also included among the innumerable stars in heaven that You pointed out to Abraham. Give them faith in Jesus to spark Life in their spirit.  You are the light of the world. Against the backdrop of the world’s darkness, please bring about a chain explosion of life transformed for Your glory. Because You save us out of every tribe, every nation, every people, and every language. Nothing is impossible with You. All glory to the Lamb who took away the sin of the world!

(With Scott W)