It was a day of prayer. Prayer for a passionate awakening within Japan. Prayer that the church would become a sanctuary for this community, a place where even passersby would feel and wish to seek out its joyful ambiance.
We headed into the common area of the Church for some tea and to learn more about the specific prayer requests of other Churches within the community. As we listened the eyes of five 6th grade girls peered in through the frosted window. One of the Pastors welcomed the girls into the church.
In the words of Peter Sensei “We could be logistical and continue our prayer right now or we could follow the open door God has given us.”
After an hour or so of talking, games, and a dance party -filled with both western and Japanese artists – we invited them to come back to the church in the morning for service, and to come to the party later this month. They seemed excited, but we were uncertain as to if they would truly return. The girls were students in Ando Sensei’s son’s class, but in their daily passing of the church had never entered the doors. They were too uncertain, but a room of Gai Jin (pronounced ‘guy jean’ meaning foreigners) spiked their interest.
The next morning Ando Sensei stopped by to share with us that the girls had returned for service! We sought the open door and God shared with us his love for five of his daughters. They walked through the open door, and in doing so began a relationship of far greater importance than that of 5 Gai Jin.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18 -emphasis added)
