Prayers for Japan/ Blessed Changes for Japan

I have noticed our two largest news outlets in America, CNN and Fox News, have both reported on faith, or the lack of faith, in Japan.  Here is the link to the Fox News article and and excerpt from that article:  http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/18/finding-faith-japans-crisis/

But what of Japan, a country where many consider themselves more secular than sacred? Where do they turn for comfort from the triple threat of earthquake, tsunami and potential nuclear catastrophe? First, it may be deceptive to think of Japan as non-religious, says Dr. Michael Roemer, assistant professor of Religious Studies at Ball State University in Indiana. "In Japan, they don't belong to [congregational] religious organizations like in the U.S. like Churches, Mosques, or Temples." But there is still faith.  Another American academic, Dr. Duncan Williams of the University of California at Berkeley, was in Japan on a train headed to Tokyo’s airport when the quake hit. His train nearly derailed, and was so damaged it had to be evacuated.  "I think many people were praying, very much, for the well-being of their loved ones who they weren't able to contact," he said. During a speech to his nation, Japanese Emperor Akihito also told the people he was praying. But to whom, or what? While faith isn’t necessarily front and center in every aspect of Japanese life, there are ancient religious influences entwined in the culture. For example, the traditions of Buddhism and Shintoism still run strong, despite some 70 percent of Japanese saying they have no personal god.

Our church, like many other churches in America, are taking up money to send supplies and people to Japan to help.  Today, our church prayed specifically for Grace City Church in Tokyo. You can see its link here.

http://www.gracecitychurch.jp/english/

This is an excerpt from its home page:

Tokyo is one of the largest, most expensive, and most secular cities in the world. Grace City Church Tokyo church plant in the heart of Tokyo. From May 2010 it has begun meeting for weekly worship meetings in Ginza, a central shopping district in walking distance of Tokyo station, lowering the threshold for newcomers to attend.

Grace City Church Tokyo envisions to be a new community called to glorify God by loving and serving the city. It will focus on providing relevant answers from a gospel centered perspective to the many questions that young professionals struggle with on a daily basis. Issues like the meaning of work, stewardship of money or relationships. Together we will seek social justice and renewal of society. We believe that the Gospel will not only renew people’s lives, but that it will also affect culture and change the city. As Jesus became incarnate and lived amongst us in the ancient world where so much was wrong, we hope that he will now be palpably present among us in Tokyo. Sharing our lives with others. Sharing from the grace that God grants us. By his mercy, the church will offer a truely living and truely restfull community literally in the middle of the buzz of an anxious city.

It is my hope that this church, a local church, and churches around the world will continue to assist Japan for years to come. 
Tim Keller, an influential American pastor,  talks about the importance of reaching out to the people of Tokyo so they will know the good news of Christ.

Then, there is news of churches coming together to make a larger impact on Japan, so more help can be given.  Samaritan's Purse is an organization that partners with many, many churches to reach many, many nations. http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/18/franklin-graham-sending-90-tons-of-aid-to-japan/?iref=allsearch

We must continue to pray for Japan and the other hurting people of the world.  And... we must act and serve as well.  I can't wait to see how God might change the world through the people of Japan.


Psalm 72  -1 Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. 2 May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. 3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. 4 May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. 5 May he endure[a] as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. 6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. 7 In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more. 8 May he rule from sea to sea and from the River[b] to the ends of the earth. 9 May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust. 10 May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts. 11 May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. 12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. 13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. 14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. 15 Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. 16 May grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive[c] like the grass of the field. 17 May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him,[d] and they will call him blessed. 18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 19 Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen