“They told me, “The exile survivors who are left there in the province are in bad shape. Conditions are appalling. The wall of Jerusalem is still rubble; the city gates are still cinders.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God-of-Heaven.” Nehemiah 1:3-4
I woke up early and walked the streets of Tokyo today. One of the least evangelised nations on earth. With a high suicide rate, people working very long hours, a very proud people. I spoke to a young Japanese man on the plane the other day. He said it was very hard to accept Christianity, because he has never been “Trained” in this way. And he said Japanese people are very fearful of these things, and they push away when spoken to about this.
Where are the Nehemiah’s for Japan. The ones who would see the conditions are appalling, that this nation is in bad shape. The ones who would sit down and weep and mourn and fast and pray. And then rebuild the walls.
History tells us that Francis Xavier was the first missionary to Japan in 1549. It was very tough soil to plow for the gospel, but he persisted, and many churches have been planted since. I’ve been impressed with Pastor Toru, Pastor Pete Malins, Pastor Talo who are persisting with the calling on their lives to reach the lost in Japan, in very tough soil.
The redemptive gift on this nation is honour. They know how to honour in the workplace, their elders, there is a deep sense of respect. If only they could come back to their creator and honour him first, oh what a powerful witness for Christ they could be!
As I was walking and praying today, I was singing the words to Revival, By Robin Mark. Guy lead this at our night service a few weeks ago, and I can’t get it out of my head…
“From the Preacher preaching when the well is dry
To the lost soul reaching for a higher high
From the young man working through his hopes and fears
To the widow walking through the veil of tears
Every man and woman, every old and young
Every fathers daughter, every mothers son.
I feel it in my spirit, feel it in my bones
You’re going to send revival, bring them all back home
I can hear that thunder in the distance
Like a train on the edge of town
I can feel the brooding of Your Spirit
“Lay your burdens down, Lay your burdens down”.
Revive us, Revive us,
Revive us with your fire!”
Lord Send revival to Japan. Raise up the Nehemiahs! And rebuild the walls! Thank you for the salvations we’ve seen so far, may the floodgates open, and may many doors open for the Gospel! In media, in schools, with Alpha, church planting, street ministry, with missions teams etc. Lord send out your workers for the harvest field we pray in Jesus name!