Streams of Prayer for 14 October 2024
The Streams of Prayer for 14 October 2024, is a circular from Wycliffe Global Alliance. Wycliffe Caribbean makes this available.
October 13, 2024 – October 16, 2024
Prayer
Prayer—by the church worldwide—is central to Bible translation movements. Engaging in God’s mission is a privilege, but it is also a God-sized job. Only through dependence on his power can we carry out this work effectively.
As an Alliance, we seek not only to help people to pray through Streams of Prayer but also to encourage creative ways to engage in prayer for Bible translation movements. Many Alliance organisations participate in the Prayer participation stream through staff members who provide churches, organisations and individual ‘pray-ers’ with prayer resources and opportunities. Each year we also facilitate content to help Alliance organisations plan activities for the World Day of Prayer for Bible Translation on or around 11 November.
Our current theme is Prayer. We will focus our prayers on the strategies by which Alliance organisations engage in the Prayer stream on behalf of those who do not yet have access to Scripture, as well as those involved in Bible translation movements.
‘Be silent, be still’. Meditative thoughts written on a small blackboard in Wycliffe Australia’s prayer chapel.
Photo: Gary McMaster (2019)
South Pacific Bible Forum: Pacific
Pray for the South Pacific Bible Forum (SPBF) gathering in Fiji from 14-17 October. Coordinated by the Bible Society of Australia, the SPBF seeks to establish a space where everyone involved in Bible translation can unite through the exchange of ideas and knowledge, mutual encouragement and support, and the advancement of country-level collaboration efforts. This collaboration aims to help with each partner’s Bible translation and engagement objectives, ultimately contributing to zero languages in the South Pacific region without Bibles. Pray for each group and individual sharing about what God has been doing through their country-level initiatives. Pray that this will bring great encouragement and strengthen collaborations for reaching out to all language communities in the Pacific still waiting for the Scriptures. Pray for creative initiatives and for new partnerships to be formed.
An International Prayer Network: Americas
The International Missionary Intercession Network (RIMI) is the prayer outreach of Macedonia International, which serves to mobilise the church in prayer, praying for workers in the field, nations and unreached people. The prayer network shares resources, news of world events and training opportunities. Via WhatsApp, the network daily shares information about unreached ethnic groups as well as the need for Bible translation, plus short biblical reflections. It reaches about 240 members. During September, the Month of the Bible, the network has emphasized sharing information about Bible translation. Give thanks for this international prayer ministry. May God continue to bless the lives of the people who daily prepare the information so that both the members of the WhatsApp group and the churches and ministries with whom they share these prayer resources can daily intercede for the unreached.
Resting, praying and encouraging one another: Japan
Praise God that Wycliffe Japan’s annual members’ retreat went well and was much blessed. They had a three-day retreat (6-8 June) at a Christian campsite in Nagano, Japan. God clearly answered their prayers that the retreat would be a time for resting with the Lord, praying together and encouraging one another. Pray that the fruit of this time together with the Lord will continue to empower their ministry.
Prayer is key: Cameroon
The Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy (CABTAL) has made prayer a key element since its inception. CABTAL values dependence on God and recognises the crucial role of prayer in advancing God’s mission, particularly in the Bible translation movement. Praise God for CABTAL’s various prayer initiatives, including daily morning prayers, Bible studies and prayers every Friday, and fasting and prayer every first Friday of the month. Pray that the prayer resources produced weekly and monthly will continue to fuel this prayer movement with CABTAL. Thank God for the various prayer partners in churches, in the language communities, in the Alliance, etc. Pray and thank God for the dedicated staff members who facilitate prayer efforts and provide updates on Bible translation programmes. Thank God for CABTAL’s new Prayer Facilitator.
Invitation to Intercede: Israel, Global
On 4 September the staff at Whole Word Institute joined for fasting and prayer, and invited others to pray with them. Their Invitation to Intercede prayer page continues to provide updates about prayer needs. In spite of war and unrest, they said: “God continued to call us to press forward. In the past three years, we have been working to launch regional schools in several countries in cooperation with churches and partners there on the ground in those nations to get more training to Bible translators who may not be able to come to Jerusalem. God is blessing this work, but we sense we need more prayer than ever!”
Pray for:
- A new group of Hebrew students from 10 countries that began in September, and ongoing master’s degree students
- Hybrid Hebrew Extension Learning Program (HELP) launched in four nations in partnership with Harvest Mission Ethiopia, Wycliffe Benin, Wycliffe South Africa (in Mozambique) and a strategic partner in Indonesia
Adapting materials for teaching in oral cultures and for more biblical language teachers to meet the increasing demand for localised training and translation.
Plans for the World Day of Prayer for Bible translation: Global
The World Day of Prayer for Bible translation will be held on 11 November. The theme this year is “Growing together”. Pray for all those planning World Day of Prayer events. Ask God to give wisdom and guidance so that God is honoured and his people encouraged. Pray for those who are holding joint events with partners. Ask God to help them plan in a way that helps organisations to grow closer and that all their staff grow closer to God.
24/7 week of prayer for Bible Translation: South Africa
Wycliffe South Africa has a number of prayer initiatives and is particularly excited about a 24/7 week of prayer for Bible Translation held 23-29 September. The staff joined with Jericho Walls Prayer Network International to bring together more than 100 prayer groups worldwide through a WhatsApp group. A daily prayer guide led participants in how to pray. Thank God that this has encouraged participants from Wycliffe South Africa to grow in their personal walk with God. Pray that more organisations will join in this 24/7 week of prayer in the future and that this will become a truly international week of prayer for Bible translation.
Streams of Prayer is the prayer bulletin of the Wycliffe Global Alliance.
Valrie McCarthy
Language Development Officer
Wycliffe Caribbean
7A South Avenue
Kingston 5
JAMAICA, W. I.
876 754 9334, 908 2970, 582 6592
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