Pray for Japan on Sunday August 8, 2010

Pray for Japan on Sunday August 8, 2010

Lectionary Text and Prayers for Japan: Luke 12:32-40

Gracious God, Allow us to hear these wonderful words of Jesus; “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” God, you give us so much. You give us your trust, even though we are so weak. You give us your love, even though at times we are broken and far from being lovable. You give us the promise of your kingdom, which is our hope and sustenance in life. Today, we pray for each “little flock” of believers around the world. Look over them, guide them, give them courage, keep them from being afraid. Today we especially lift up your “little flock” in Japan – our partners in mission. Help them to be a sign of your reconciliation and peace on earth.  In Jesus Name

 Prayer by Jeffrey Mensendiek

Please pray for:

·  the church in Japan. Christians are a small minority, and many of its members are elderly. There is also a shortage of ministers.

·  the young people who frequent the Emmaus Center, who have psychological and or physical frailties, and who are struggling to find self confidence and trusting relationships with one another.

·  the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki who gather each year to pray for peace.

·  reconciliation between Korea and Japan. This year marks the hundredth anniversary of Japan’s colonization of Korea. Pray that Japan will find the courage to own up to its past history and build strong ties of trust with its closest neighbor.

Global Ministries International Partners in Japan:

  • Doshisha University: http://www.doshisha.ac.jp/english/ Martha Mensendiek is a teacher of Social Welfare at Doshisha University, Kyoto. Casilda Luzares teaches English.
  • Asian Rural Institute: http://www.ari-edu.org/english/index.html The mission of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) is to build an environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful world, in which each person can live to his or her fullest potential. This mission is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ. To carry out this mission, ARI trains and nurtures rural leaders for a life of sharing. Leaders, both women and men, who live and work in grassroots rural communities primarily in Asia, Africa and the Pacific form a community of learning each year together with staff and other residents. Through community-based learning they study the best ways for rural people to share and enhance local resources and abilities for the common good. 
  • Emmaus Center: The Emmaus Center, based in Sendai, Japan is an ecumenical ministry run by the United Church of Christ in Japan. Among the various activities provided at the Center is the youth ministries program http://ssc.uccj.jp/ which has ministered to the wider public for close to 60 years. Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek works as the Director of youth ministries at the Emmaus Center.
  • Kobe College: http://www.kobe-c.ac.jp/ekc/index.html
  • Korean Christian Church in Japan: http://www.kccj.net/
  • Miyagi Gakuin Women’s University: http://www.mgu.ac.jp/home/
  • National Christian Council of Japan: http://ncc-j.org/english/profile.html
  • Tohoku Gakuin University:  http://www.tohoku-gakuin.ac.jp/index.shtml
  • United Church of Christ in Japan:  http://www/uccj.or.jp

Global Ministries Missionaries in Japan:

Casilda Luzares teaches English at Doshisha University and is involved in pastoral ministries to migrant workers from the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

Martha Mensendiek teaches Social Welfare at Doshisha University, and is also involved in the ministries of the Bazaar Café which provides support to AIDS victims as well as foreigners living in Japan.

Jeffrey Mensendiek serves as the Director of youth ministries at the Emmaus Center, and is also involved with ecumenical ministries with the United Church of Christ in Japan.