Author: MaryBeth Hall

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

1. Today’s picture is unique in that it is the first time a subway station has been the setting for our TGP prayers. This photo is part of the Ginza Line, which at 98 years old is Tokyo’s oldest subway line. Pray for whomever the oldest person will be to walk across the pictured area and ride the subway today, that God will give him / her a clear, direct opportunity to trust Jesus for salvation.

2. Pray for the youngest person to enjoy food today at A Happy Pancake Ginza (a business at the opposite side of the city block where our map marker is) to likewise have an opportunity to become a Christian.

3. Pray for any Christians using the Ginza Line this month who struggle with an addiction to walk in the victory that is theirs in Christ.

Revelation 22:20

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

1. This morning we find ourselves walking through the Hamariku Gardens, originally built in the 17th century as a retreat for a well-to-do family, and currently a public park. A couple of interesting features are worth noting. First, the garden has a tidal pond that permits seawater to flow in at high tide. Second, President U.S. Grant sipped green tea here with the Japanese emperor in 1879. Pray for a Christian who will enjoy the garden’s maple and ginkgo fall foliage this season to find his soul refreshed after walking through the garden and enjoying a time of personal fellowship with the Lord.

2. Pray for the salvation of a groundskeeper working today in Hamariku Gardens.

3. Pray for an elderly person who has enjoyed several visits to the park throughout her lifetime, and will be going for the last time this fall, to be reconciled to her Maker before it is too late.

Revelation 22:20

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

1. Pray that anyone in Japan who watched Charlie Kirk’s memorial service and heard the gospel will decide to place personal faith in Jesus alone for salvation.

2. Pray for both the highest and lowest paid two people who work in this building to have true treasure in heaven.

3. Pray for Christians in Tokyo to have and take opportunities to witness this week.

Revelation 22:20

Additionally, Australia is the most recent major country to call for a sovereign Palestinian State. The United Nations meets in New York this week. Pray for the Lord to protect Israel.

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

1. Pray for the Lord to bring a gospel witness into the life of each pedestrian wearing orange who will cross this intersection today.

2. Namivoke Shrine is the most important Shinto shrine in the Okinawa Prefecture, and was originally built around 700 years ago. Its name mean “above the waves,” and reflects its location above the sea. Visitors to the shrine have historically prayed for safety at sea and blessings on family events like marriage and childbirth. Pray for someone searching for the truth who has visited Namivoke Shrine to come to know the only true Protector on a personal level, through the crosswork of His Son.

3. Pray for Tokyo’s Christian deacons and their wives to sense the presence of the Lord today, and walk with Him in a Godly manner.

John 8:12

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

1. Pictured above is a popular Japanese restaurant that serves kushikatsu, deep fried skewers of pork, beef, shrimp, lotus root, and pickled ginger, served with a special dipping sauce. Pray for the salvation of a family planning to eat supper there today.

2.A block over from our current map location is the Koko Hotel. The name Koko means “stork,” and is a symbol of good luck and a prosperous long life. Another common good luck symbol in Japan is Maneki-neko, a cat with a raised beckoning paw. Different colors of the cat symbolize different types of hoped for luck; for example, a gold cat with a beckoning paw placed in front of a business is supposed to draw a customers in, bringing wealth to the business owner. Pray for a worker at the Koko Hotel to meet and have a good gospel conversation with a Christian coming to stay at the hotel. Pray for the worker to realize that people don’t need to trust in good luck charms, because the one true God is both sovereign and benevolent.

3. For several decades in the last century, girl names ending in “ko” were very popular (Yuko, Kamiko, etc.). Pray for a Japanese lady whose name ends in “ko” to be born again into God’s family this week.

John 8:12

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

1. It is estimated that there are over 500 bridges in Tokyo. The Kachidoki Bridge is significant to Japanese culture for three reasons: it was an engineering marvel at the time of its construction (1940, and it used advanced double-leaf bascule technology); it is the Sumida River’s sole drawbridge; and it commemorates Japanese victory in the Russo-Japanese War. Kachidoki means “shout of victory.” Pray for a Christian traversing this bridge to live in the reality of the fact that God always causes us to triumph in Christ (2 Cor. 2:14).

2. Pray for the pictured individual to come to know Christ, and faithfully love / serve the Lord all the days of his life.

3. Praying for any living grandchildren of the bridge’s original architects to meet Christians, see Jesus in their lives, and trust Him for themselves as the only Bridge to the Father and eternal life.

John 8:12

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

1. Bicycles are very common in Japan, not just for leisure, but as an important practical means of transportation. All bicycles are registered with local police stations. Cyclists are required to use the left side of the road to ride, unless they are under 13 years old, over 70, or have physical disabilities, in which case they can use the sidewalk. If someone wishes to carry a bicycle on a passenger train, it must be disassembled and carried in a rinko bag. Pray for the five owners of the pictured bicycles to hear about the love of Jesus, and trust in His atoning work on their behalf.

2. Higashikawagishi means “river bank,” and is an apt moniker for the street that runs along the water. Pray for a person working at a business on Higashikawagishi St. whose soul is thirsty to come to Jesus, that he may experience the rivers of living water described in John 7:37-39.

3. Bill and Becky Petite are missionaries in Japan (Becky is a second generation missionary there). Also, Bill and Becky’s two grown children have married Japanese nationals, and serve the Lord in Japan. Bill and Becky are getting older and facing health challenges. In addition to starting Japanese churches, they minister to the deaf of Japan. Pray for the Lord to meet all of their needs, and continue to bless their ministry for Him.

John 8:12

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

Many Japanese have a synchretistic religious belief system consisting of both Shintoism and Buddhism.  For example, many people have Shinto weddings and Buddhist funerals. Shinto’s focus is on spirits found in nature, in everything from trees and rocks to human ancestors. Rituals such as hand-washing and mouth rinsing are important in interaction with the spirits. In Buddhism, families often perform daily rituals at their home altars for deceased ancestors. Morality and a coping-with-suffering philosophy are the focus of Buddhism.

1. Pray that someone driving over this bridge who has recently attended a Buddhist funeral will hear the gospel message of the Resurrection and the Life, and have courage to believe the truth.

2. Less than half of 1% of Japanese people claim to be evangelical Christians. Translated to approximate real numbers, this means that around only 620,000 of Japan’s 124,000,000 people claim to know Christ. There are less than 1,000 missionaries (from various groups) in the country. Pray for the Lord to mightily bless the efforts of His children, both Japanese nationals and foreign missionaries, who are trying to reach Japan for Christ.

3. Japan has one of the highest suicide rates of any industrialized nation, especially among people 15 to 29 years old. Pray for the Lord to interject Himself into the thoughts and lives of a dozen people contemplating suicide who will cross this bridge over the next few weeks. Pray for them to then turn to the Light of the World for deliverance from darkness.

John 8:12