Thursday, June 1, 2006

Curses and Blessings

As we started to pray along the line of Kyushu, we began to see more things. But before I throw you more questions, I would love you to see a picture.

As we had shared earlier this year, that there are some people who were called for reconciling Japan with former enemies, particularly pointing the history of WW2. So, what they did was to repent their sins on behalf of Japan. I found one in HK last year sometime around end-August or October. And of course there were both sides of Chinese and Japanese which had come together, praying and seeking the Lord. I would not be surprise to find many of them are intercessors.

Our friend Joseph Ozawa and Keiko are actively involve in this campaign. They believe that Japan will be set free from blood guilt and revival will come to Japan. I believe, it is the forgiveness that these people are seeking. And with the forgiveness, the blessings shall flow without hindrances.

On the other hand, Pauline was reminded by her mom as she was praying for Japan at home. He mother shared with her that how her grandma (one of the victim that suffered in the hands of the Japanese during WW2 back home in Malaysia) had cursed the Japanese whenever she met one, or as she was reminded about them. The curses charged the whole generation! I am not surprise to this as well. If you basically heard how people curse others, especially the Chinese and the Indians ( people group that we could identify in this country), you know that this is not far from the true.

So, what had made Japan to loose out in the race of Gospel for all these years? Would it be of these curses? Japan, China, Korea, all three shared similar cultural background. China and Korea both had moved far. What happened to Japan? If you want to talk about persecution that brought forth revival, Japan had undergone 250 years of Christian persecution long before World War. Korea is a growing church, China is emerging church. But Japan, till today, after 400 years of Christian work, is classifed as Unreached.

The fire of revival had been prophesied to Japan for many decades now. Of course, sometimes we will have reports like Gallup Survey (2001) that suggested an optimistic view of changing face in current Japan. But we cannot deny that today, Japan is still under heavy bondage. Would it be the curse that had blocked Japan to receive her blessings? Had our dear brothers and sisters in China and Korea be a part of this "curse" giver? If we Christians, cannot forgive, or waiting for the Japanese to repent before we could forgive, we could never really release a true forgiveness to the Japanese! Then, what are we talking about "Salvation to come"? And do remember that we are dealing with the unforgiveness of the Christians now, how about the unforgiveness of the pagans?

Pauline suggested that the curses might have contributed to the tremendous high and increasing suicide rate in Japan. This link not only to spiritual death, but also physical death!

My friends, if you feel that God had impressed you to pray along Kyushu, please, do so! If the topic of "Curses and Blessings" had imposed a burden on you, please, pray about it! But if the Lord had lead you to pray in other areas, please, seek Him with all your heart, and allow Him to open your eyes and tell you where and what exactly. Share with us then, let us know what God is doing, and we shall pray together, and amen to each other. So, at the end of the day, we will have different groups to cover different areas and issues in Japan, that we would meet each other, and finally get to the point where God wants us to be!

Mark 11:25 When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.

Shalom!