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Eye on the World: Japan and China
Tensions between China and Japan rose this week when four Chinese ships entered waters that Japan considers part of its territory, near a group of islands whose ownership is disputed. For years, China and Japan have quarreled over the islands -- called “Senkaku” by Japan and “Diaoyu” by China -- in the East China Sea. Japan controls the islands, and bought three of them last week from their private Japanese owner, but China claims “administrative jurisdiction” over the territory. Japan is sending a top diplomat to China this week for talks, in hopes of easing tension between the two nations. Meanwhile, Japan is also engaged in a dispute with South Korea over a separate territorial issue as well as questions about reparations from World War II.
Diplomatic situations like this one can be delicate and tense. Is there anything prayerful observers can do to contribute to a respectful, calm climate between nations generally, and between China and Japan specifically?
It’s helpful to remember that prayer to acknowledge more of God’s presence and power doesn’t just affect the person praying; it has a ripple effect on the world at large. So our prayers for peace can be felt in Asia, in the Middle East, and everywhere.
“Humble prayers for peace” provides a starting point by exploring how we can better understand “God’s gentle, all-powerful control.” This kind of prayer takes us above international tensions to the recognition that God’s government can be reflected in constructive, honest, cooperative governments in China, Japan, and elsewhere. And a divine government includes no element of mistrust or hotheadedness.
“Spiritual diplomacy with China” offers some helpful ideas, too. The author explains, “Whenever we read news of international disunity, we can remember that disunity is usually based in fear—fear of the unknown, fear that somehow God isn't in control. But Love is the antidote for fear—in fact, ‘Perfect love casteth out fear’ “(I John 4:8). Instead of getting pulled in by a picture of simmering tensions and disunity, we can recognize that God brings only peace to His children.
If you’re interested in praying further about this subject, you’ll want to listen to a special audio chat called “For peace in the Asia Pacific,” to be held on Thursday, September 27th.