Searching for understanding on how to pray more specifically for Japan … I discovered some points shared on the internet…I have adapted some of them for use…( see  link to Prayer points…) A lot of our prayers this week could  be dedicated to the victims of this terrible devastation …you can join by praying as you feel led.  This week, in Church …we are gathering to continue to pray for Japan.

Ephesians 2[4]  But God — so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, [5]  Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved ( [ delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation). (amp)

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face
His purposes will ripen fast unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste ... but sweet will be the flower.

1.First and foremost, pray peace, safety, and comfort over the people. Officials reported as of late evening on 3/14 (US time) that thousands have been confirmed dead, with thousands still missing. As you have noticed in the footage on the news, you can hear the fear and panic in the voices of the people during the earthquake and tsunamis. They are still dealing with the shock of that. And even now, you can hear the sorrow in their voice as they mourn the loss of loved ones. Countless people are still desperately searching for family. What’s worse, some areas have no cell service, so plenty of families still don’t know whether or not their loved ones have survived. Many are without power. Food, water, supplies, and shelter are limited – and to top it off, they are facing cold, windy weather with rain and snow in some areas, and with temperatures expecting to fall to 27 degrees fahrenheit by evening. This gives concern that some without shelter can develop hypothermia.

2.Pray for salvation. Pray for boldness over the believers who are now in Japan all across the nation – beyond the areas affected by the quake/tsunami/power plant. Culturally speaking, Japan is a very reserved nation when it comes to sharing the Gospel. Unbelievers consider Christianity a foreign religion, and most people practice Buddhism or Shintoism in a customary/superstitious way. Many Japanese do not share their faith with family because they fear offending them, or think they simply will not understand the difference between their religion and Christian faith. Please continue to pray that believers there will experience a newfound courage to share the Gospel with their friends, family, and loved ones – and that God will open the hearts, minds, and ears of those who need to hear the Gospel. They desperately need to experience God’s love, mercy, and freedom. Luke 21[15]  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

3.Pray also for relief workers/reporters in the area. As you can imagine, the psychological impact these rescue workers face is dire enough to send any healthy-minded person into shock, depression, panic, and post-traumatic stress. Pray peace over their minds & hearts so that they can remain calm and work efficiently to clear rubble, rescue survivors, and even remove bodies.

4.Pray over the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant. As of 3/14 10:00pm MT, officials told residents 20-30km to stay indoors, and ordered workers at the plant to evacuate, as well. 50 workers stayed behind at the plant to pump seawater into the reactors to attempt cooling them. Pray for those workers that they have the strength to continue working hard, as they have displayed extreme bravery by staying behind. They have also issued a 30km (18mi) “no-fly” zone around the Fukushima plant for fear of radiation levels, although they are dropping once more. Pray that all nuclear radiation leaks stop and people are unharmed…in spite of the poisoning. Acts 28[6]  Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

5.Pray for Miracles and Good news: As aftershocks  continued people are living in great fear of still future shocks.  It is not certain that the worst is over. Continue praying that God will still the earth beneath Japan, and that the aftershocks and tsunami warnings will come to a halt. I don’t believe they can handle any more devastation.You may have seen the headlines of one case, where an elderly woman in her 70s was rescued 4 days after her house was washed away by the tsunami. There are similar stories being told; there are still survivors in the rubble! Pray that workers can experience the miracle of finding survivors amidst the rubble, and that lifts the hearts of rescue teams and locals with hope. These people need all the hope they can get. Pray that God will flood Japan with hope. Pray for miracles.

6.Pray for Revival! Grant us, your sinful creatures, to repent and return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved  … May every heart-breaking loss – millions upon millions of losses – be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures’ pain. O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.

7.Pray for God to Relent! Jonah 4[1]…for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, One who relents from doing harm. Father we know you as the God who is abundant in grace, plenteous in mercy who relents from doing harm…You are good all the time.  Relent O Lord we pray because of your loving kindness…like you gave Nineveh … give us one more chance to return to you…send grace as you sent to Nineveh.

In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen