Praying in Japanese

When culture stress has wiped me out, I retreat to the familiar. What can I do well? What worked at home in America and therefore must work here? What can I make for dinner that will soothe my fraying spirit?

On one occasion, I pulled out my go-to stroganoff recipe. I couldn’t find the called-for cayenne pepper at our closest grocer, but I thought the habanero powder they did stock would probably work. It turns out habanero powder is much, much spicier than cayenne pepper. Not exactly the soul-settling mouthful I had planned for supper! No amount of milk or yogurt could tame the burn.

I also thought praying in Japanese would be enriching and heart-warming. But I learned quickly that Japanese prayer isn’t a one-for-one substitution, either. So much specialized vocabulary! Is the prayer formula in the textbook the only way to pray, or can I change the order? How polite should I be? If I panic in the middle of reciting “in Jesus’ name,” can I wrap up with a simple “amen”? Does it still count?

Now I know how unchurched nonbelievers feel when they enter Sunday worship for the first time, or when new Christians are asked to pray aloud in a group. Everyday conversational skills don’t help. I expected struggles with new grammar patterns. But feeling as though I’m learning for the first time who God is and how to approach Him has blindsided me.

Praying in Japanese takes the humbling process of language learning to a more spiritual level. I get distracted listening to others pray aloud in English. I may marvel at an especially insightful turn of phrase, or someone’s ability to weave Scripture into their prayers. I may sigh at vague requests, such as “help them” or “bless them.” When I pray aloud in a group setting, I often forget that I’ve come before the throne of God, and instead think about my impression on those who are listening.

But there’s no impressing anyone with my Japanese prayers. Those simple pleadings, “please help” and “please bless” become a refuge when I’m on the spot, head bowed, face flushed red, searching for “comfort” and “encourage” in Japanese. I don’t understand enough yet to be impressed by others when they pray aloud. If I’m expected to pray in turn, I’m torn between listening intently to understand those who pray before me and planning my own halting attempts.

Of course, the Lord knows my heart and the Holy Spirit intercedes despite my best efforts and questionable intentions. I want to learn to pray aloud in Japanese because it will encourage Japanese believers to pray aloud. I want to pray in a way that is accessible and relevant to my Japanese friends who have never been to church.

In prayer and in cooking, there is no such thing as seamless transition from home to host culture. But in both, the Lord nourishes us and gives us what we need to continue with His Kingdom work. 

Photo by Anna Gutermuth