New Items (Week 6) from the prayer list. see http://www.crashjapan.com/crashjapan/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=315 for complete list
- Many of the places experiencing shortages have had their needs supplied, and gasoline shortages are no longer a problem. Praise God for his provision.(4/27)
- As of April 22nd, the 20 km radius was sealed. Many people will not be able to return to their homes for a very long time. Pray for them to find a place to stay and to be able to deal with the loss of their property and family homes, farms, and businesses. (4/27)
- Radioactive water is currently being stored, and TEPCO hopes to have a facility to decontaminate the water operational by June. Please pray about the contaminated water from the plants, that there will be no more leaks, and that it can be swiftly decontaminated.(4/27)
- Elevated radiation levels have been detected in tap water, vegetables, and milk coming from Fukushima and the surrounding prefectures. The government of Japan has ordered food shipments from these areas to be stopped. The ban on milk has been lifted from 25 municipalities in Fukushima, but in 11 areas the ban is still in place. Please pray for the agricultural industry of northern Japan. (4/27)
- Debris is a problem for those trying to rebuild their lives. Many ports are clogged with debris, and in the disaster zone, debris and rotting material are contaminating the air with bacteria and terrible smells. Debris carried out to see will also present difficulties for other countries boarding the Pacific Ocean in the months to come. Please pray for the speedy, safe removal of debris, and for the restoration and rebuilding efforts of those in affected areas. (4/27)
- Much farmland has been rendered unusable by saltwater. Pray for farmers as they begin the procedures necessary to clean their ground and resume planting. (4/27)
- 30 out of 33 designated disaster hospitals are now capable of accepting patients, but overall 20% of hospitals and clinics in the disaster zone are still closed. Please pray for the continued restoration of medical services. (4/27)
- Casualty reports are still coming in. Over 14,500 bodies have been found, and over 11,000 people remain unaccounted for. The combined death toll will probably be around 28,000. It is estimated that the death toll could exceed 15,000 in Miyagi prefecture alone. Pray for those who have lost their loved ones in this disaster. (4/27)
- 5,314 people were injured in the earthquake, 124 severely. Please pray for continued healing for the injured. (4/27)
Day In Prayer for Japan
Perhaps you want to host your own day in Prayer using the videos and PowerPoint(s) see link bellow:
"On Tuesday, April 19, all the schools in Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools held a Day of Prayer for Japan. I created a couple of presentations, one for Div. 1 and another for Grades 4 - 12. Click on the link below to get to our website:
You will find 'Japan tsunami video', Div. 1 presentation, and Div. 2 - 4 presentation. The video will automatically begin to play. Stop it and click on one of the two presentations. You will need to download the file, and then open the powerpoint presentation.
Once you have opened it, you will have a slide show appear. Click on 'View slide show' and you are set to go.
Please note:
- You have a choice of two videos to use during the prayer; the first is a bit more graphic than the second. One is called 'Pray for Japan'. [Click on link to Justin's Japan Tsunami Video] ...
- Psalm 34 is integrated into the prayer. It is linked to a music video, so that students can listen to it sung. Of course, they can be encouraged to sing along. As soon as you progress to the page with Psalm 34, read the introduction. The musical introduction to the psalm will come on automatically and immediately, and it is fairly short. As Psalm 34 is sung, you will need to click to turn the page and view the words for the verses.
Feel free to use these presentations or parts of them, and revise them to your liking.
Since Tuesday, I [Louis Kloster the Religious Education Coordinator] have received unsolicited, positive feedback from staff; it seems to have been effective."
Previous Weeks
Pray (Week 5) for the Churches of Japan as the celebrate Easter that they would trust God for a Resurrection from the death and destruction they have seen.
You may have missed this story last week. Story of Mika Takana - How one woman is helping others.
Below are prayer items for previous weeks
New Items (Week 4) from the prayer list. see http://www.crashjapan.com/crashjapan/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=315 for complete list and for items selected previously see below.
- 4,878 people were injured in the earthquake, 124 severely. Please pray for continued healing for the injured.
- The Nuclear Crisis in Fukushima has, as of Tuesday, April 12th, been raised a Level 7 on the international scale of 1 to 7. Pray for wisdom and strength for those who are struggling to get this situation under control, and for the workers who are risking their lives to prevent this situation from worsening.
- As of April 11th, residents within the 30 km radius have been informed that they need to evacuate within the month due to the long-term effects of the radiation. Those whose homes are within the 20 km radius are still stuck in evacuation centers, uncertain when or if they will be able to return home. Pray for everyone who is being affected by the fear and uncertainty of this situation.
- Pray for the tourist industry of Japan. With the current nuclear crisis, nobody wants to come to Japan, and areas that have been economically fueled by tourism are going to suffer heavily.
- Pray for God to provide the resources for Christians to reach out to those who are in need. Pray for compassionate hearts that actively pursue opportunities to help others.
- Pray for stamina for all those working relief; for enough rest, for emotional fortitude, and unshakable faith.
- On Saturday, April 16th, shipping was resumed at the seaport in Sendai. Praise God for this progress in the restorative process, and pray that healing continues.
New Excerpts from a Missionary Prayer Letter
The Other Tsunami
[In discussing the near 30,000 lives lost to the tsunami], one man commented, “That’s almost as many as committed suicide in Japan last year.” That hit hard. Another tsunami of stress, fear and hopelessness had taken as many and more people’s lives last year. And the year before that...
It was a powerful reminder that while there is so much to do to help the suffering of the people in northern Japan... Please pray for the people of Japan to find hope in Jesus. Please pray that we will have wisdom and leading to know what to do and what to say at the right time.
Items Previously Selected from the prayer list.
I have select some of the major prayer and praise items see http://www.crashjapan.com/crashjapan/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=315 for a complete list.
HARD-HIT AREAS:
- Due to the seismic activity, the ground level in much of coastal Japan actually sank, so sea water that came in during the tsunami is not receding. This is hampering relief efforts. Please pray that relief teams will be able to work safely in these areas.
- Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in the coastal areas and the area around the Fukushima nuclear power plants. Conditions for these people are terrible. There are terrible shortages. There is no fuel for heaters, no electricity, and in many places necessary supplies are scarce. There is no gasoline for anybody to go out and buy these supplies. Night temperatures in northern Japan this past week have been bitterly cold, and it is snowing heavily in some areas. Please pray for them, and all who are having to stay in public shelters.
- Suicide has been a very serious problem in Japan for years, and with the added horror of this disaster and all its repercussions, many more people in the months and years to come may attempt to end their own lives. Pray for these people, that God would intervene and give them hope.
NUCLEAR CRISIS
- Pray for the young and the unborn. Very young children and babies are at the greatest risk of long-term damage from radiation exposure. Pray that levels will remain low enough not to cause lasting damage for the children.
- Many of the stories being spread are alarmist and based on little more than panic. These stories are causing more fear and stress in a situation where people are already taxed to their limits. Please pray for the spread of proper information.
IMPACT ON JAPAN:
- Public transit systems in Tokyo and the surrounding areas are taxed to the limit by this disaster, and the transportation companies are no longer confident that the infrastructure can handle rush hour traffic. Please pray that this transportation situation can be resolved.
- Pray for the Christians of Japan, that we would be able to mobilize relief efforts and provide for people's needs, both physical and spiritual. Pray also for the impact this is having on regular ministries, that Christians would be able to help their neighbors to remain calm, and that we would be able to provide comfort for the grieving.
- On Sunday, March 13th, Shinmoedake volcano on Kyushu erupted. No casualties were reported, but the area remains on a Level 3 volcano alert, with residents around the volcano advised to stay away. Please pray for protection for the people of Kyushu.
- Many University Graduates who had been promised jobs beginning in April are without work because of damaged or completely destroyed companies. In addition to the many other struggles, there are many who are without work now and for the future. Many people’s jobs have also been put in jeopardy by the current crisis. Pray for the unemployed of Japan.
- Pray for the South Korean economy and other related economies as well. South Korea’s economy is heavily interconnected with Japan’s, and it is estimated that this disaster and its influence will adversely affect South Korea in the months to come.
- Schools across Japan are starting the new school year, but for many, they have to plan around exams that students were unable to take, records that have been lost, and school buildings that have been ruined or are being used as evacutation centers. Pray for the educators and students of Japan.
PRAY FOR THE JAPANESE CHURCH
- Until this catastrophe, the Japanese church has been hampered by strong denominational division and legalism. Since March 11th, we have seen the church here in Japan drawing together as one to respond. Pray that this unity will continue long after the crisis has passed.
- Pray for the Japanese church to persevere. This is a situation that will not be over for a very long time, so pray that Japanese Christians will partner with the needy through every step on the road to recovery.
PRAY FOR LOVE ON JAPAN | CRASH QUAKE RELIEF [click for latest news]
- CRASH has now established five base camps in four prefectures. These base camps will be used by teams from all over Japan to minister to those in heavily affected areas. Pray for the staff at these base camps, that they would have strength and wisdom, and that through these camps God will work in Japan to bring His hope and salvation.
- Pray for relief teams that are on the ground, assessing needs in disaster-struck areas, and providing supplies to evacuees. Pray for their safety and maximum effectiveness in providing relief for the suffering.
PRAISES
- The news focuses on the many, many horrible things that have happened in this tragedy, and we are heartbroken, but we praise God for the amazing stories of survival and reunion that have been coming out of Tohoku since the day of the disaster. The lives of many have been spared, and as people continue to be reunited with loved ones for whom they feared the worst, we praise God for even the smallest of blessings.
- We praise God for the love and support that has poured in from all over the world since this nightmare began. Truly, God is blessing Japan through His people all over the world, and we are humbled, touched, and overwhelmed by the love we have been shown.
- We praise God for the organization and fortitude of our friends and neighbors. The Japanese people are bearing this tragedy with impressive discipline and sacrifice, and we praise God for the respectfulness and mutual concern native to this culture which has led the people of Japan to act with swiftness and dedication to help their countrymen.
- The wind is helping to minimize airborne exposure since the earthquake, as winds from the northwest have blown many emissions from the plant out
- On April 6, TEPCO was able to stop a leak that was pouring large amounts of contaminated water into the sea. Praise God for this success, and pray that no further leaks will occur.
to sea.
Excerpts from Missionary prayer letter sent in week 3.
I have highlighted in bold letters specific prayer requests near the end of the excerpts.
Overwhelmed…[After one month]
Overwhelming Response
At the same time, the response from churches and Christians from around the world – through prayer, money, supplies, volunteers – has been amazing. We and our Japanese friends have been truly touched to see this. Also, the church and missionary community in Japan has responded in big ways...But it has been wonderful to see what has been and is being accomplished by such a group of people, themselves dealing with the impact of the troubles around them.... [For example] a young mother came in with two little girls, maybe 5 and 3 years old, saying her daughters wanted to donate some of their own money to help those affected by the tsunami. She turned to the girls and asked how much they wanted to give, and the younger girl opened her little purse, took out 11 yen (about 13 cents) and with a shy smile gave it to me. The older girl stood quietly looking into her purse, then gave the same amount. The mother then added another 1000 yen ($12) and said to her girls, “There, maybe with this money, some little boy or girl who’s lost everything will be able to have a ball to play with.” The girls looked so happy... Not long after those girls’ gift, someone received a request from a school or evacuation center wondering if it would be possible to get some baseballs and bats for the children there. The request was immediately sent out to groups overseas offering to send whatever’s needed, and apparently very soon a shipment of balls, bats, gloves, and bases was on its way to Japan. Simple stories like these help keep us going day to day....Japan as a nation is also responding.... high school students have spent several days on busy streets in downtown Tokyo, collecting thousands of dollars for relief efforts.
Overwhelming Emotions
We often feel the frustration of wishing we could do more to help....The emotional needs of the people around us, however, are so much greater than our own. Yesterday, walking to our train station I saw a lady with a small bag of groceries, wearing rubber boots, rubber gloves, a thick, large rain coat with the hood up and a surgical mask so the only part of her body exposed to the air was her eyes. Even though there are reassurances that the levels of radiation in Tokyo are far below safety threshold levels, I could see fear radiating in this lady. Many are afraid of radiation, or of future earthquakes, afraid of the economic downturn or maybe especially afraid of the unknown. In the devastated areas many are wondering why bother trying to start over again....
The problems forcing the shutdown of the nuclear power plants mean that we all deal with the fact of not enough electricity to go around.... Several people have asked how they can face a future where the economy might not recover, where there might not be enough power, where they might not be able to send their children to university. People are also finding that Jesus does have answers for these kinds of questions and we see a hunger to hear more.
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