Remember JapanKatie Cornick - 3 Feb 2012
A 500mph tidal wave, nuclear meltdown, thousands dead, tens of thousands homeless. This was the horror that hit Japan on March 11th 2011. Katie Cornick from 24-7 Prayer USA has spent the year travelling to Japan to aid in the relief work. Coming up to the one year anniversary of that terrible day, Katie shares about a nation shaking and the churches response.
"Until your Spirit is poured out upon us from on High, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.” Isaiah 32:15
These are the the words of J.H. Ballagh, one of the first protestant Christian ministries to Japan, that echoed off the walls of a small stone building in 1871. He and 11 Japanese friends had gathered in their home of Yokohama to seek the Lord. Day after day they met and cried out to Him for breakthrough. Ten years of ministry had left them discouraged; Christianity was still outlawed and remained widely unknown in Japan. It was in this state of frustration that they turned to prayer and cried out, declaring Isaiah 32:15 and a release of Gods Spirit over the country they loved:
“Until your Spirit is poured out”, they said, until all know your name. "With all the days we have, with all the strength you've given us we will release your glory in this place. Until Japan is home to sons and daughters of the living God...We wait on you."
The 400 years of Christian history in Japan tell a story of persecution, rejection and suspicion, with much of that time the country legally closing itself from all aspects of Christianity. Although there have been sporadic seasons of growth, nothing has reaped the harvest that is longed for. Perhaps until now…
On March 11th 2011 an earthquake struck off of the Eastern coast. The resulting 3 story-high tidal wave devastated the country, ripping houses from their foundation and children from their mother's arms. The death toll exceeded 18,000 and the damage will cost Japan something in the region of £145bn to repair, making it the most expensive natural disaster in history.
In response, support flooded into Japan from all sides. Christian ministries, partners and allies came bringing aid. Temporary housing was built and over 80, 000 homeless people were sheltered, but also left scattered across northern Japan. Before them lay the difficult task of rebuilding not only their towns, but also their families and their futures.
Almost a year on, cities have been cleaned and goods distributed. Now the emotional need outweighs the physical. The desperation is not for a blanket, but a friend. Heaters and meals have been passed out, but who will come with hope?
24-7 Prayer has sought to love Japan by mobilising groups to serve and pray. Last autumn(fall) 3 teams traveled to Tohoku to meet with survivors and pray for the release of God's love. This Spring more international teams are preparing to go as opportunities for ministry increase. The nations eyes have turned to the Church and when many are too busy to take time off to volunteer, Japanese believers continue to make great sacrifices to love their own people.
A hundred plus years after Ballagh dedicated his life to the outpouring of God's Spirit in Japan I find myself alone in my bedroom, sitting on the chilly wood floor of a Tokyo household reminding God of His promises. “You said your Word would not return void. You said you would not let it go forth without bearing witness. We're still here, Lord, your children are hungry for your Spirit to be poured out in Japan. On all flesh, Lord, just like you promised.” I stand on a firm belief that He is faithful to Japan.
Everything that was once stable in this nation is shifting, cracking and making way for redemption. With the anniversary of the March 11th disaster around the corner please take time to pray. Here are 3 ways you can respond in love towards Japan.
1. Gather a group of friends as J.D. Ballagh did and ask God to pour himself out, turning a spiritual desert into a fruitful forest. Meet together on March 11th and proclaim His promises!
2. Sign up for an hour of prayer. We're calling for three days of prayer that would cover Japan with blessing in the days leading up to the March 11th anniversary.
3. Mobilize prayer for the nations at your church or within your community. The shaking that's occurred is not only in Japan. Around the world we're feeling its affect. Set aside a day, week, or month of prayer with Isaiah 32:15 as your battle cry...”Until your Spirit is poured out”.
If you have further interest in Japan, leading a short-term team of receiving regular updates regarding 24-7 Prayer in Asia please contact Katie Cornick
In March we will be running Japan Takeover Week to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Earthquake disaster.