Pray for Japan: Divine Strategy in the Midst of ChaosThe Phantom Intercessor - 11 Mar 2011

A major earthquake of magnitude 8.9 struck the northeast coast of Japan today, triggering a massive tsunami that is sweeping away cars, ships and buildings. This earthquake is the most powerful in Japan since records began. The death toll from this disaster is unclear, but it's at 400 now and expected to rise.

There is a tsunami warning across the Pacific to North and South America.

Let's join our prayers with many others from across the globe on behalf of those affected by this situation.

Please pray for:

• Divine strategy for meeting physical/practical and emotional needs of the Japanese people during this time, including the rescue of people from rubble and water.
• Revelation that Jesus is the only Rock and foundation that the Japanese can safely build their lives on - and pray for salvation of many during this time!
• The small Church in Japan (about 1% of the population of 130 million people), that they will lean into trust in God and lovingly proclaim a message of hope to those shaken by fear.
• The networks of pastors and church leaders that 24-7 is connected to throughout the Tokyo area, for courage and faith to rise up during this time.

A friend of ours named Andy landed at Tokyo-Narita airport just minutes before the earthquake struck. Andy is a pioneeing leader in Alpha Japan catalysing prayer among networks of pastors and leaders throughout the nation and was returning to Japan after spending time visiting the 24-7 USA and Kansas City Boiler Room crew. He's been sending us ongoing updates of the situation in the airport as well as what he can gather from across the nation:

Read his string of reports and join in prayer!

Update 15:00 - Landed in Tokyo to huge earthquake. Am fine & met up with good friends. All got evacuated from airport - no time for luggage but did immigration & spent 90mins waiting outside for aftershocks to
settle.

Update @ 19:30 - Slowly letting us back in to get our bags but we are all stuck in terminal on ground floor. Handing out water (and snacks for kids) but it's 4hrs in and no signs of normal life. Many schools will keep
kids overnight as no trains running. Some places no electric or gas. Planes diverted to Osaka now & most airlines cancel all flights out for today. We need some warm food & drinks soon...

Update@ 22:00 - Lined up for blankets & snacks but they had soon run out!!! Mood is quiet as many are tired & some have kids! My flight from Chicago was over 13hrs. Airport is closed & some flights diverted to
Anchorage or Osaka. However I bumped into some good old missionary friends - had some extra blanket & snacks! After 6hrs only given bottle water & no food but have machine selling hot cans coffee (for the first time ever it tastes great!) We are bedding down for the night. Some are visibly upset to miss
flights & friends but we are so glad to be safe! They really feared ceiling was gonna collapse so evacuated us. Things can easily be shaken & moved! Seeing pictures on TV in hushed silence now. By morning they hope to have trains running - many friends have long walks home tonight (4hrs+).

Update @ midnight (9am CST, 3pm GMT): Keep praying - there are frequent continued aftershocks from the quake - we get announcement in the airport (as if we didn't feel it!!) and there are now many fires out of
control in north Japan! Utilities need repair, communication seems difficult and travel hard still at this time. Many police & airport staff working thru the night.

Read the latest on the earthquake and tsunami from BBC Asia News.