A Prayer a Day for East Asian Peoples

Labor Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in Japan on November 23 each year. This national holiday was established in 1948 to give thanks for the efforts of workers throughout the year. Schoolchildren traditionally make holiday cards for local policemen, firefighters, medical personnel, Self-Defense Force workers and others who protect society. Businesses give out awards or express thanks to employees with good reviews. The origin of the day has to do with a harvest festival celebrating the year’s hard work when the emperor dedicated the harvest to the gods.

“Lord, the emphasis of this day of thanksgiving in Japan is on offering appreciation to the workers. We pray that countless Japanese will soon come to understand that true thanksgiving is offering our hearts to you in appreciation of your many gifts, especially salvation that is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord.”