A Message From Nagano Christian Reformed Church

Brothers and sisters around the world,  Warm greetings in the glorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  You may have seen on TV the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games which were held in our city of Nagano.  If so, you saw various kinds of performances there which were concerned with traditional religions in this area.  Almost every ceremony among them has lost its original religious meaning and  remains mostly just as tradition or recreation, a means for prosperity and solidarity of the local community now.  But these ceremonies are still offering people some religious satisfaction, and they still bind people to a traditional lifestyle.  So it is true that their conversion to the true God is being hindered by these traditions.

« The Importance of Prayer »

  I really feel that prayer is the most important thing for Christians. It is not something special for Christians to emphasize the importance of prayer.  But I wonder if perhaps you may think that while no praying is unfaithful, too much praying is the error of too much enthusiasm or misguided zeal.

  I wish to quote part of the 21th aniversaly declaration" by the Reformed Church in Japan.

«On Prayer»

  The development of the kingdom of God is the work of the Holy Spirit which is done through people.  Accordingly what is basically needed to complete the important calling to fulfill the will of God is earnest and ceaseless prayer.  The Church can stand steadfastly as a church which is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit only by coordination of theology and evangelism in our daily prayerful life."

  Prayer is a means of grace which God uses for the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.  But if we do not have the sound instruction of theology, our prayer could become misguided zeal.  From this time forward the churches of Japan will be forced to struggle hard for the gospel.  The victory of us who believe in the gospel of God and the gracious power of the Holy Spirit depends on whether we will be able to develop churches which appreciate the importance of prayer and burn with healthy zeal for prayer.

  I entreat all of you to pray on behalf of evangelistic efforts in Nagano City, and on behalf of me, the pastor here. Let's pray to God for each other.