Pray with Japan, June 19, 2022

Lectionary Selection: 1 Kings 19:1-15a Father’s Day

Prayers for Japan

Gracious and loving God who leads us through difficult times, You came to Elijah not in the strong wind, the awesome earthquake, nor the all-consuming fire, but in the stillness of a gentle whisper. A whisper so tender and intimate that it gave Elijah the strength to stand strong to meet a new day. Your gentle voice transformed his fear and sent him forth with a sense of mission and purpose. We pray for our partner churches in Japan. We pray for those who build trust and peace in society. We pray for the fishermen and farmers who work with your creation to bring food to our table. We pray for all those who struggle for justice in Fukushima, in Okinawa, and in the solitary spaces where your beloved children raise their voices demanding to know the truth. Your life-giving whisper will help them to stand tall even when their greatest desire is to fall. Gracious and loving God, bless all those in Japan who strive to walk in your ways of love and peace for all. Amen

Mission Stewardship Moment from Japan

COVID has meant limited international travel for the past two years. Unable to fulfill their dreams for travel overseas, a handful of college students at Yamanashi Eiwa Christian College, in Kofu, Japan, formed a group called “My-C” (C stands for connection) to explore ways to learn about history and society and to look for creative ways to transform their lives. They wanted to develop a deeper awareness of the value of diversity and to feel safe to be their authentic selves in a highly conformist society. They wanted to explore personal issues like sexuality, gender, and religious affiliation which often put them at odds with those around them. They held online book studies and joined the local YWCA for the annual peace festival. My-C contacted me for an online chat because they wanted me to lead a “dignity workshop” for them. I told them that dignity is about treating a person as if they matter. I added that we all fall apart the minute someone treats us as if we do not matter. Value and vulnerability are both a part of what it means to be human. I could see their eyes light up. I could sense they had suffered various dignity violations. This fall we will be together to share a workshop in which they will learn that everybody is born with dignity and that no one can take that treasure away. Dignity can become a source of great strength for people in hard times. Dignity is like the treasure that God has placed in earthen vessels.

Prayer and Mission Moment by Jeff Mensendiek

Mission Partners in Japan

More about Japan

Global Ministries Mission Co-worker in Japan
Jeffrey Mensendiek serves with J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo, Japan. His appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.