Category: Uncategorized

From deadly fires in Hong Kong to an attack on US National Guardsmen near the White House to flooding in Thailand and Indonesia to a coup taking over the government in Guinea-Bissau, many parts of the world are in turmoil today. In light of these events, added to other personal difficulties some may be facing, the question might be raised whether it’s appropriate and meaningful at all for Americans to eat turkey and celebrate Thanksgiving today.

The answer can be summarized by Psalm 103:19,22 – “The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

In comparison to God’s eternal rule, current world events are nothing. He is, always has been, and always shall be on the throne. In addition to His omnipotence, He is always graciously benevolent to us (Psalm 103:17). It is therefore highly appropriate and deeply meaningful to celebrate Thanksgiving with a full heart of gratitude to our God.

For today’s TGP prayer time, please follow this link to listen to Ron Hamilton’s “The Praise Song.” It’s less than two minutes long, but very powerful. As a personal testimony, I have found that singing it out loud is very effective in re-focusing on the Lord.

https://youtu.be/o4Wem9FkbOo?si=FPR9Vm-EcEtDeAgT

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! Psalm 103

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.

1. Deaflympics: Continue to pray for the Deaflympics being held November 15-26 in Tokyo, Japan. The connections our TGP team members have to this event are really special! First, Julie Andrews sent in the heads up about the event. After yesterday’s post, Cheryl Howe let me know that her friend Emily (from Chattanooga, Tennessee) is playing tennis in the Deaflympics. Go, Emily!

The Lord is working to reach people! Last night I saw an update from the missionaries Julie told me about, and yesterday they led a former Buddhist to Christ. Let’s keep praying daily for the Lord to bring many people to Himself while they are in Tokyo for the Deaflympics, and provide avenues for further discipleship when they return to their various home countries.

2. Kevin Rideout: Hebrews 13:3 tells us to, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” Pray today for grace, strength, hope, and peace for Kevin Rideout, and for his soon release.

3. Your Choice: Please pray for a request that you remember from one of the other locations featured this week:

National Route 20 (Tokyo, Japan)

Juniso Dori Ave. (Tokyo, Japan)

Koen Dori (Tokyo, Japan)

Crown Point, Trinidad and Tobago

Thank you for praying!

Luke 9:26

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

1. Kevin Rideout: Continue to pray for the safety of Kevin Rideout, a missionary pilot kidnapped in Niger on October 21. The US State Department continues to work toward his release.

2. Hurricane Melissa: Pray for people whose lives have been devastated by the destruction of this hurricane. Pray for the Lord to meet their needs on every level.

3. Your Choice: Please pray for a request you remember from one of the locations featured this week:

Haradh, United Arab Emirates

Umm Salal Muhammad, Qatar

Mekomeseng, Equatorial Guinea

Metropolitan Expressway Route 5 (Tokyo, Japan)

Kanda Aqueduct Remains (Tokyo, Japan)

Thank you for praying!

Luke 9:25

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

1. Kevin Rideout: Continue to pray for the safety / release of the Baptist missionary pilot Kevin Rideout, who was kidnapped in Niger on October 21. Pray for the salvation of his captors, peace for his family, and God to be glorified. 

2. Direct witness: Continue praying that you will meet a Japanese person and have an opportunity to witness for Jesus to that individual. Pray also for boldness to witness to contacts of any ethnicity whom God has already brought into your life.

3. Your Choice: Please pray for a request you remember from one of the locations featured this week:

Bunkyo City (Tokyo)

Denmyoji Temple (Tokyo)

Rte. 434, near the Koraku Park Junior Baseball Field (Tokyo)

Bangkok, Thailand

Santiago, Chile

Thank you for praying!

Please pray for Kevin Rideout, a missionary pilot in Niger who was taken from his home by three armed jihadists on October 21. Niger is a country infamous for persecution against Christians. Pray that wherever Kevin is right now, he will continually sense the presence of the Lord. Pray for his family during this time, and for God to be glorified on all fronts.

Luke 9:24

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

1. Rikugien Gardens (Tokyo, Japan): One beautiful aspect of Rikugien’s illumination shows is how the vibrant fall colors of the leaves are reflected in the pond. Pray for Christians in Tokyo to beautifully reflect the character of their Savior, that all who see their lives may see something of Him.

2. Arue, French Polynesia: Pray for a Christian in Arue who is being tempted by the pull of materialism to remember the lasting satisfaction he already possesses in Christ.

3. Your Choice: Please pray for a request you remember from one of the locations featured this week in our Tokyo prayer walk:

Tohaku Cha-kan (tea house)

Grand Maison Sendagi Ichibankan (apartment complex)

Intersection of Rte. 17 & Rte. 437 (building with Bunkyo Orthopedic Surgery and Denny’s)

Thank you for praying!

Luke 9:23

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.“

1. The “Impossible”: The one you know – Pray for the individual you personally know who is so blind to his / her own condition that it seems like he / she would never believe the gospel. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in that life, and for the miracle of repentance to occur.

2. Akhisar (Thyatira), Turkey: Jesus sent the church in Akhisar (Thyatira) a message in Revelation 2:18-29. Pray for modern believers there to continue loving and serving the Lord, and to abstain from physical and spiritual fornication.

3. Your Choice: Please pray for a request you remember from one of the locations featured this week in our Tokyo prayer walk:

Ueno Park

Yushima Fuji Building

Hitotsu Bridge

Kanda Myoujin Shrine

Thank you for praying!

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:23-26

Pray for the salvation of these difficult-to-reach individuals:

1. President Donald Trump – By his own words, he thinks that entrance to heaven must be earned. However, he has heard the gospel as recently as at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Pray for him to really “get it” in regards to what God’s grace is all about.

2. Elon Musk – He was impressed by the forgiveness Erija Kirk demonstrated toward her husband’s killer. Pray for Mr. Musk to realize that God offers him personal salvific forgiveness, and for him to have faith to believe that the Bible is the only true authority for this life and the next.

3. Greta Thunberg – This 22-year-old climate change activist has gained worldwide fame. Pray for the Lord to help her see the reality of the most dangerous condition to escape – her impending eternal separation from Him caused by her sin. Pray that she will hear the gospel, and trust in the work of Christ as the only remedy to that problem.

4. The one you know – Pray for the individual you personally know who is so blind to his / her own condition that it seems like he / she would never believe the gospel. Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in that life, and for the miracle of repentance to occur.

Lamentations 3:21-23

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.

1. Manchester, United Kingdom: Samaritan’s Purse has sent crisis chaplains to Manchester. Pray for the Lord to give them wisdom and boldness in their endeavors, and for saving faith to be the response of those to whom they seek to minister.

2. Antigua, Guatemala: Pray for the Word of God to be widely circulated in Antigua.

3. Your Choice: Please pray for a request you remember from one of the locations featured this week in our Tokyo prayer walk:

Rte. 4, near the Metropolitan Expressway Inner Circular Route

Intersection of Rte. 402 & Rte. 1

Imperial Palace Outer Gardens

Thank you for praying!

Revelation 22:20

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

1. Charlie Kirk Gospel Opportunity – Pray for the the Holy Spirit to continue bringing the gospel to the attention of the millions of people who watched last Sunday’s memorial service for Charlie Kirk, and for national regeneration and revival to occur.

2. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Yesterday’s wide scale walkout at the UN is truly a sad commentary on the world’s attitude toward Israel.

3. Your Choice: Please pray for a request you remember from one of the other locations featured this week in our Tokyo prayer walk:

Shin-ohashi-dori Ave

Hamariku Gardens

Rte. 15 & Rte. 304 (subway station)

Rte. 15, near the Kyobashi Daikongashi Hospitality Garden

Rte. 15 & Sakura Dori St.

Thank you for praying!