Pray for Japan on Sunday June 20, 2010

Pray for Japan on Sunday June 20, 2010

Lectionary Text and Prayers for Japan: Luke 8:26-39

Dear God, we give thanks for the churches around the world that we partner with. Together we vision a global community which is united in your love. In today’s text, we remember that Jesus healed a man with demons. We too have our own demons. Let us open ourselves to the healing Jesus offers. And, as the man Jesus healed went and told what Jesus had done for him, let us also go forth and tell our stories – of the healing that God wills for us and for our world. Today we especially pray for Japan, and lift up in prayer:

– the new Japanese Prime Minister and cabinet members, that they will carry through with their promises of change for the common good,

– the people of Okinawa, who for over 60 years have continued to bear the brunt of the US-Japan military alliance, and yearn for true peace and justice,

– migrant workers and their families, who struggle with discrimination, low wages, and lack of opportunities. We also remember the many citizen groups that reach out to assist those workers and their families, and pray for continued strength in their work,

– churches in Japan and their dedicated pastors, and especially the very small churches in rural areas, that they may continue to be places of worship and witness to God’s love,

– other Christian ministries and centers, like the Bazaar Café, and the Emmaus Center, which continue to be a gathering place for young people  and a place of welcome for the vulnerable.

We offer these prayers to you as we remember our brothers and sisters in Japan. May we work together in each of our places to bring about wholeness and peace, in Jesus’ name,

Amen

(Prayer by Martha Mensendiek)

Global Ministries International Partners in Japan:

  • Doshisha University: http://www.doshisha.ac.jp/english/ Martha Mensendiek is a teacher of Social Welfare at Doshisha University, Kyoto. Casilda Luzares teaches English.
  • Asian Rural Institute: The mission of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) is to build an environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful world, in which each person can live to his or her fullest potential. This mission is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ. To carry out this mission, ARI trains and nurtures rural leaders for a life of sharing. Leaders, both women and men, who live and work in grassroots rural communities primarily in Asia, Africa and the Pacific form a community of learning each year together with staff and other residents. Through community-based learning they study the best ways for rural people to share and enhance local resources and abilities for the common good. 
  • Emmaus Center: Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek works as the Director of youth ministries at the Emmaus Center, Northeast Conference of United Church of Christ in Japan, based in Sendai, Japan. Ms. Sandra Lee-Takei works as a global mission Intern at the Emmaus Center as the assistant to the Director of youth ministries. 
  • Kobe College: http://www.kobe-c.ac.jp/ekc/index.html
  • Korean Christian Church in Japan: http://www.kccj.net/
  • Miyagi Gakuin Women’s University:
  • National Christian Council of Japan: http://ncc-j.org/english/profile.htm
  • Tohoku Gakuin University:
  • Unite Church of Christ in Japan:

Global Ministries Missionaries in Japan:

Sandra Lee-Takei served as a Global Mission Intern at the Emmaus Center. She is currently doing interpretation in Disciples and UCC congregations in Northern CA.

Casilda Luzares teaches English at Doshisha University and is involved in pastoral ministries to migrant workers from the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

Martha Mensendiek teaches Social Welfare at Doshisha University

Jeffrey Mensendiek serves and the Director of youth ministries at the Emmaus Center