Welcome to the new Karis Japan site. Things have been quiet with Karis Japan over the past few months but now that the new year is here we intend to ramp things up again. Along with our redesigned site we want to announce the 'Pray for Japan Initiative' As we consider taking the gospel to one of the most unreached nations on earth, the task can seem overwhelmingly daunting. The only way that we will be able to affect gospel change is for us to faithfully persevere as the author of Hebrews reminds us in 12:1-4 and look to Jesus as our example. Therefore our mission must begin with prayer. This year we are asking you to join us as we pray for Japan. Every Monday we will post information about specific ways that you can pray that week.

Friends, would you partner with us in praying for Japan this year?

Here's how you can begin praying this week.

• Pray for more workers in Japan

Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 9:37-38 that, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” This reality is greatly reflected in Japan as only 0.3% of Japan's 130 million people are Christian. We need to see many more missionaries sent to Japan to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus to the plentiful harvest that awaits in Japan. Would you pray this week for more laborers to be sent out into the fields of Japan.