Author: MaryBeth Hall

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Tokyo.

Across the street from the pedestrians and above the pink cherry blossoms, part of Yasukuni Shrine’s torii-gate is visible. A torii-gate is a common Shinto structure placed at the entrance of a shrine for two purposes: to visually signify to worshippers that they are stepping away from the secular and into the sacred, and to ward off evil spirits (torii-gates are often painted red / vermilion to enhance this supposed ability). Torii-gates have become a symbol of not just Shintoism, but of Japanese culture in general. The torii-gate visible from our virtual prayer walk location today has an interesting history. Originally built in 1921 out of bronze, at 69 feet high it was Japan’s tallest torii-gate. During WW2, the gate was torn down to make weapons. The current 82 feet tall gate (sixth highest torri-gate in Japan) was built in 1974 out of high quality steel that is predicted to last 1,200 years.

1. In John 14:6, Jesus stated that He is the only way to the Father. No one else can enter the realm of the Divine except through Him. Pray for any of the pictured pedestrians who have walked through Yasukuni Shrine’s  torii-gate to have / take a clear opportunity to understand and believe the gospel.

2. Building a structure that will last 1,200 years is quite a feat of accomplishment for humanity. However, King Jesus will never cease to be the doorway to eternal life. Related to Christ’s eternal rule, Daniel 7:27 says, “…His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” (NKJV) Pray for a Christian in Tokyo to be encouraged by this fact today.

3. Many world religions have a clear dividing line between the secular and the sacred. The concept of a torii-gate in Shintoism illustrates this idea. Pray for a new Christian who was raised in the Shinto faith but has come to trust Jesus to understand that there is no such dividing line for Christians; the Lord / His Word daily impacts every single area of life.

Romans 8:31

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Tokyo.

1. Today was Culture Day in Japan, a national holiday celebrating peace and cultural arts. Celebratory activities included free museum / art gallery admission in many places, parades, martial arts exhibitions, etc. Emporer Nahurito (Japan’s 126th emporer) presented the Order of Culture award to eight people. Tokyo time is fourteen hours ahead of US EST, so many people are currently getting ready for bed. Pray for the emperor and the eight award recipients, that the Holy Spirit Will stir their hearts with the realization that there is something greater than any earthly award, and that He will bring a clear gospel witness into their lives to show them how to obtain the greatest title: being called a child of God Himself (1 Jn. 3:1).

2. Today’s pictured location for our prayer walk was originally the influential Tokugawa Clan’s home, but has been a popular walking park since 1969. The path brings to mind the story of the Emmaus road, where two disciples talked to Jesus the evening of Resurrection sunday. Later that night, Jesus asked His upper room followers why they were troubled and had anxious thoughts. The Greek word for “troubled” brings to mind the word picture of agitated water, and the word for “thoughts” has the idea of back-and-forth reasonings: with what they had heard from the women, the Emmaus disciples, and the appearance of Jesus Himself, the Eleven weren’t sure what to think. That same encounter, Jesus told them twice, “Peace be unto you.” Pray for any Christians who will walk this year on the pictured trail who are internally wrestling with anxieties, that the Lord will speak His peace into their souls, and that they will respond by fully trusting Him.

3. Pray for the faith response of a Christian as described / prayed for in the second request to be the catalyst that causes one of his / her lost relatives to trust Jesus for salvation.

Romans 8:31

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Zarafshan.

1. Pray for the artist who painted the mural on the red building, that he and his family would know the beautiful work of God painted in their lives.
2. By now, construction on the above apartment complex is probably finished. Pray for the Lord to send a Christian to reach out to families who live there.
3. The name Zarafshan refers to gold, and the city is Uzbekistan’s gold capital. Pray for someone today to obtain a residency reservation in that City whose appearance is as pure gold.

Ephesians 3:14-19

This post was originally published on November 22, 2021.

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Tokyo.

1. This picture was probably taken during the covid pandemic. Pray for people in Tokyo continuing to grieve the loss of loved ones who died in the fall of 2020 from covid, that the Lord will help them to see that He is the Resurrection and the Life, and that they will obtain eternal life through trusting Him alone for salvation from sin.

2. Pray that a Tokyo resident who struggles with anger issues will meet the One Who gives victory and internal peace.

3. Halloween is celebrated in Japan, but differently than in Western countries; mostly it’s a night for teens and young adults to engage in street parties and cosplay (costumes + playing out the chosen character’s actions). Pray for any churches doing evangelistic outreaches this evening, that the Lord will save five young adults in Tokyo. Pray that those five people will then become faithful disciples and eventually church leaders.

Luke 9:26

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Umm Salal Muhammed.

1. “Saif” is an Arabic word meaning “sword or scimitar.” Pray for every man entering the Saif Gents Saloon (a barber shop) this week to have an opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Pray for the owner of the Narjas Trading & Maintenence shop to trade his sin for the righteousness of Christ.
3. Umm Salal Muhammed has many farms and wells. Pray for five ladies drawing water from wells today to meet the Master Who once sat by a well because He loved a Samaritan woman (John 4).

Romans 15:13

This post was originally published November 28, 2021.

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Tokyo.

1. The Kanda Aqueduct brought water to Edo (previous name for Tokyo) for 271 years (1629-1900). Pray for a student who will be learning about the aqueduct in history class to hear about Jesus and His offer to bring living water to people, thus satisfying their spiritual thirst forever. Pray for the student to receive that living water.

2. Pray for a family planning to take family photos at this park in the near future. Pray that the husband and wife will become united on a spiritual level as Christians who follow God’s pattern for marriage, enjoying fellowship with Him and each other on a deeply meaningful level.

3. Pray for the Lord to save a Japanese political leader.

Luke 9:26

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Haradh.

1. Pray for five workers in the oil and gas wells near Haradh to have / take an opportunity to hear the gospel.
2. Pray for someone seeing his shadow today (in a similar manner as above) to also mentally see the shadow of the cross intersecting his life, and turn to accept it full on.
3. Pray for a blind lady in Haradh to experience the love of Jesus and receive spiritual sight.

Revelation 4:11

This post was originally published on January 13, 2022.