Pray for Japan on Sunday, November 25, 2012
Lectionary Selection: John 18:33 -37
Prayers for Japan:
Loving God, We pray today for the people in Japan who are still suffering from the effects of the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. We especially lift up those who have suffered from the nuclear disaster in Fukushima. We pray for those who have had to leave their homes because of the nuclear contamination, not knowing when or if they will be ever be able to return home. We pray for the farmers who cannot grow crops or keep their dairy farms, and the families who fear for the health of their children. We pray that the truth will be told about the risks of nuclear energy and that the leaders of Japan will make the right choices for sustainable energy. May we continue to support our partner church in Japan, which is playing an important role in Fukushima by being there for people who suffer and by speaking the truth about nuclear hazards. God, be with the National Christian Council (NCCJ) as they get ready to host the Inter-Religious Conference on Nuclear Energy in Fukushima.
In the spirit of today’s Gospel reading, may we follow Jesus, bearing witness to the truth in our own communities. Be with us and guide us, oh God.
Amen
Mission Stewardship Moment from Japan:
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity at Doshisha University where I teach. I am the advisor to this student group. Each year the students go on work camps to countries like the Philippines, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, to build houses through Habitat for Humanity. But the students are also active here at home. They go on work camps to Asian Rural Institute (one of our partners) to learn about sustainable agriculture and community, and are also active with outreach to the homeless in our city of Kyoto. And, ever since the earthquake and tsunami, the students have traveled north to volunteer at the disaster sites. One way the students have been able to volunteer, is through the work of the Emmaus Center in Sendai, which is one of our partners in Japan. The Emmaus Center has accepted thousands of volunteers over the last 20 months since the earthquake. The students come back from their volunteer experience, eager to talk about their experiences. What is striking is that many of them say that they gained more from the experience than they were able to give. They were given hope and strength from the very people that they were there to “help”. They also were inspired by the staff and with the other volunteers at the Emmaus Center. They learn about the value of sharing, and about working together in community. They come away from Emmaus Center with a positive experience of Christian witness. Thank you for your support of the Emmaus Center, and Asian Rural Institute, and to my ministry at Doshisha University – places where young students are having meaningful experiences in Christian community.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Martha Mensendiek)
Video Resources about Japan:
Global Ministries International Partners in Japan:
Korean Christian Church in Japan
Miyagi Gakuin Women’s University
National Christian Council in Japan (NCCJ)
United Church of Christ in Japan
More information on Japan:
http://globalministries.org/eap/countries/japan/
Global Ministries Missionary in Japan:
Martha Mensendiek serves with the Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan through the Council on Cooperative Mission. She teaches social welfare.