Praying Gods heart for Japan means asking Him to move through scripture-based intercession for the Japanese people. God’s heart is that people will know Him—including the Japanese. You can turn Bible reading into a powerful time to intercede for Japan and the Japanese people. Simply pick a passage, read and pause after each verse or thought to consider how it can apply to God’s desire for the Japanese to glorify Him. And then make your requests to the Lord.
Why Christians Around the World Need to Focus on Praying God’s Heart for Japan
For decades, global prayer efforts have been focused on regions like the Muslim world, China, and India—and we’re now witnessing the fruit of that intercession. In many of these places, we are seeing Disciple Making Movements (DMMs) emerge—rapid, organic, and sustainable multiplication of disciples, discovery groups, and churches. These breakthroughs didn’t come overnight—they were bathed in years of persistent, targeted prayer by believers around the world.
Japan, however, remains one of the most spiritually unreached nations on earth. Despite religious freedom, the Japanese have been slow to respond to the gospel. Historically, places that were “ripe”—those quick to receive the gospel—have already seen large-scale Christian growth. What remains now is a spiritual frontier that demands long-term faithfulness and spiritual labor. Japan is not resistant; it is spiritually fallow ground—a land that must be tilled with intercession, watered with tears, and cultivated with God’s word.
Praying God’s heart for Japan means aligning with His desire to see a breakthrough in one of the world’s last remaining strongholds of gospel inaccessibility. As we’ve seen in other nations, persistent prayer changes history. Will you be part of preparing the soil for spiritual awakening in Japan?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Praying for Japan
Q: Why is Japan considered unreached?
A: According to Joshua Project, only 0.5% of Japan’s population is evangelical Christian. That means more than 124 million people in Japan do not have a personal relationship with Jesus — making it one of the largest unreached nations in the world despite being modern, peaceful, and highly educated.
Q: What is the most effective way to pray for Japan?
A: Scripture-based intercession is one of the most powerful ways to pray. Align your prayers with what God has already spoken in His Word — praying for hearts to soften, for workers to be sent, for boldness among believers, and for communities to be transformed by the gospel. Operation World also offers prayer points grounded in current data.
Q: Is prayer really making a difference in Japan?
A: Yes — there are many effective ways prayer can make a difference, but it often takes time. Prayer tills the soil of the heart. Stories from long-term missionaries and local believers show that breakthroughs often come after seasons of persistent, unseen intercession. Small churches are growing, and people once uninterested in the gospel are beginning to ask questions. Every prayer matters.
Q: Where can I learn more about missions in Japan?
A: Visit Joshua Project to see Japan’s unreached people groups, and Operation World for day-by-day prayer data and country updates. Both are trusted resources to help you pray strategically and stay informed.
How to Start Praying Gods Heart for Japan
The Great Commission
(Matthew 28:16-20)
Verse 16:
So the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain Jesus had designated
SAMPLE PRAYER: Just as the 11 disciples went where you told them to go Jesus, we pray that your disciples today, whom you are calling to go to the Japanese people, will hear and obey. Raise up workers to go to them!.
Verse 17:
When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted.
We pray that your followers among the Japanese will heed the command to make disciples, whether they consider themselves “qualified” or not. You call all Christians to obey the Great Commission, “worshipers” and “doubters” alike.
Verse 18:
Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Lord, remind those working to reach the Japanese that they labor under YOUR all-encompassing authority. Give them boldness and courage.
Verse 19
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Father, we pray that the numbers baptized among the Japanese this year will shock the world! And may the Japanese church begin to impact other unreached people groups!
Verse 20a
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
May Japanese disciples not just teach knowledge of your word, but intentionally focus on teaching OBEDIENCE to your word. Raise up a new generation of obedient disciples among the Japanese!
Verse 20b
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Remind your children in Japan and around the world of your presence. Especially for those struggling today, let the peace of your presence sustain them and empower them to bring honor to your Name.
Bible Verses to Pray for Japan’s Salvation
God’s heart has always been for every nation, tribe, and tongue to know Him. As you pray for Japan’s salvation, use these powerful Bible verses to align your prayers with God’s will for the nations.
Key Scriptures:
- Genesis 12:3 – “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
- Psalm 67:1–2 – “May Your ways be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.”
- Isaiah 49:6 – “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
- Matthew 28:19 – “Go and make disciples of all nations…”
- Mark 13:10 – “The gospel must first be preached to all nations.”
- Luke 24:47 – “Repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
- John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world…”
- Acts 1:8 – “You will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
- Acts 13:47 – “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
- Romans 10:14–15 – “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”
- Revelation 7:9 – “A great multitude… from every nation, tribe, people, and language…”
Use these verses to intercede for Japan to be awakened to the light of the gospel.
Learn More About Japan’s Need for Prayer
- Operation World highlights that Japan is one of the most strategic mission fields today. Prayer can make the difference.
- Joshua Project reveals that less than 1% of Japan identifies as Christian. The vast majority of Japanese people have never heard the gospel in a meaningful way.
Why It Matters to Pray God’s Heart for Japan
Japan is one of the largest unreached nations in the world. As you pray scripture over Japan, you are aligning with God’s will for every tribe, language, and ethne to know Him. This kind of intercessory prayer is one of the most powerful things you can do — even from afar — to bring the gospel to the Japanese people.
Will you stand in the gap for Japan?
The spiritual soil may be hard, but God is preparing hearts. Join the movement of believers who are interceding for revival in Japan.
Start praying with scripture today — and become part of God’s redemptive plan for Japan.
