Day 4
Japan
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for coming down to Earth as a human baby. You have experienced what it is like to be fully human. Thank you that You are familiar with what it feels like to be tempted, and yet You remained blameless. We praise You that we know You are not the one who tempts us; it is satan who does that. Please help the Christian Believers in Japan to know that You are not the originator of temptations, but that we can turn to You to help us defeat those temptations. We bless the Church in Japan to be pure and spotless, free from shame; to be overcomers (The Bible, James 1:13).
An archipelago of 6,852 islands, Japan has the world’s third-largest economy and is a major donor to world crises. Three-quarters of the nation’s population lives in big cities, together with one of the world’s most aging populations has resulted in specific needs in rural areas as young people all move to the cities in search of work. A strong traditional core has been flanked by a progressive younger generation valuing Western culture and ideas. Japan suffers from a high suicide rate, the leading cause of death for those under 30. Fewer than two percent are Christian; it is still one of the world’s most secular nations. Seventy percent of Japanese identify with no personal religion, although most adhere to Shinto and Buddhist customs. This year Japan was rocked by the assassination of former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, during a campaign speech. The election was won by the new prime minister, Fumio Kishida.
