Streams of Prayer for 22 April 2024
The Streams of Prayer for 22 April 2024, is a circular from Wycliffe Global Alliance. Wycliffe Caribbean makes this available.
April 21, 2024 – April 27, 2024
People
The current theme for Streams of Prayer is People.
It is our privilege to be involved with God’s mission, both individually and corporately. Alliance organisations committed to the People Participation Stream recruit and/or send people to serve in Bible translation movements, working either in their own countries or elsewhere. They can serve with their sending organisation, other Alliance organisations or partner organisations.
We pray for the Alliance organisations to provide excellent supportive care to all staff members. And we will pray that organisations collaborate well across different human resources practices when personnel from one sending organisation are assigned to serve under another.
Through the Global People Conversations held last year, Alliance organisations have been able to think through how to respond to changing contexts and situations in order to strategically utilise their people and care for them well. Praise God that he gives us deeper understanding. As you pray for the specific items below, pray also that each Alliance organisation in the People stream will continue to respond boldly to what God shows them in this area.
Participants at the Asia-Pacific Global People Conversation in Malaysia share a humorous moment. Photo: Siew-wah Ng (2023)
Regional representatives for Wycliffe: Australia
Ask the Lord to encourage the Wycliffe Australia regional representatives and to renew their strength, unity, and vision for the year ahead. The representatives came together at Kangaroo Ground in Melbourne from 4-7 March. They play a critical role in representing Wycliffe in Australia and provide guidance to those who are applying to serve in Bible translation. Pray for them by name.
Celebrating 17th biennial conference: Philippines
Staff of the Translators Association of the Philippines (TAP) will celebrate their 17th Biennial Conference from 22-25 April, at the Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches Campsite and Conference Centre in Alfonso, Cavite. Pray for safe travels for TAP members attending. New leaders, including a director and board members, will be elected during this conference. Ask the Lord for his wisdom in these elections, and for the overall success of the conference. Also, pray for a time of mutual encouragement and refreshment.
Partnering to send Latinos to support Bible translation efforts: Guatemala
Representatives from FAM Guatemala, through their partnership with the Alliance, met SIL members in Colombia. They heard from SIL of a need for Latino staff to help care for Latino workers who lead Bible translation in different parts of the world. FAM staff saw the hand of God in this since the profile described their workers Rene and Gloria Abrego, both psychologists. Rene has a master’s degree in addictions and Gloria a master’s degree in caring for special-needs children. FAM Guatemala started interviews for the Abregos with SIL Americas. This led them to join with Wycliffe USA, who were praying for a team of Latinos to join other Latinos serving in translation. René and Gloria are now in a six-month training programme with Wycliffe USA, including assisting some workers. Praise God for these opportunities to include workers from Guatemala to support Bible translation efforts.
Field staff: Netherlands
Pray for new field staff from Wycliffe Netherlands preparing to go overseas.
- Ask God to provide sufficient funding and prayer support.
- Pray for those who are concerned with the health of aging parents which can affect when they can leave for the field.
Various field staff are returning to the Netherlands soon.
- Pray for grace as re-entry isn’t easy. Pray that they can also find appropriate housing.
Pray for the many field staff who are dealing with what seems like constant change, both on the field and also with Wycliffe Netherlands as the sending organisation.
Mobilisation of people: Cameroon
For many years, the Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy (CABTAL) has benefited from the long- or short-term services of Bible translation workers sent by organisations around the world. Thank the Lord for the tremendous contribution they have made to CABTAL’s ministry. Pray for the three expatriate workers who serve with CABTAL in Cameroon. CABTAL also sends some of its staff to other regions or to provide training in the various aspects of Bible translation for organisations in other countries. In Cameroon, CABTAL partners with linguistic communities who are asked to provide qualified people to share in the work. CABTAL staff have all been sent or recommended to serve in this ministry by the national leadership of their ministry or local church. Praise God for this mobilisation of people.
Better care for members: United Kingdom and Ireland
HR staff at Wycliffe UK continue to look for better ways to support their members wherever they are serving by:
- Introducing wellbeing guides to promote spiritual and personal growth. Pray that members would have time to reflect on how God is leading them and that they would find the resources encouraging.
- Sponsoring members in HR training and considering how they can better encourage ongoing learning for all members and staff. Pray for wisdom in identifying needs and opportunities.
- Reviewing the way they recruit and place people, looking to be flexible and provide qualified people for strategic roles in a timely way. Pray for good relationships with partner organisations and for connections with people to fill key roles, whether through existing or new members, volunteers or employed staff.
Home office staff transitions: Korea
Some of the staff serving in the home office of the Global Bible Translators are preparing to move on to other assignments. New staff have been identified and are in the process of being prepared. Pray for God’s blessings on both the outgoing and incoming staff. Ask the Lord for the smooth handover of jobs and responsibilities and for his peace for every person in this transition.
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
Let us know if you wish also to receive the “Streams of Prayer” bulletin sent to your inbox. If so, send us an email at gro.acm-cmg@retsambew and we will gladly add you to our list.
