Streams of Prayer for 23 December 2024
The Streams of Prayer for 23 December 2024, is a circular from Wycliffe Global Alliance. Wycliffe Caribbean makes this available.
December 22, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Celebration
At Christmastime, we celebrate light coming into the world, God’s redemptive plan and Jesus’ immense sacrifice on our behalf. We celebrate that The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5 NIV). With so much bad news about wars, economic challenges and natural disasters as well as our own individual challenges, it’s important to remind ourselves that the darkness cannot overcome the Light of the World.
We can also celebrate the many ways that God is at work through Bible translation movements around the world, bringing his light to many. Celebration is the current theme for Streams of Prayer. Join us as we look back over the year to thank God for the ways he has answered our prayers and to celebrate what he has done in and through Bible translation movements.
A Polish handmade nativity scene (szopka) displayed at the Wycliffe Australia National Centre each Christmas season.
Photo: Gary McMaster
God at work among us: Global
Many joined to pray for the Global Gathering that took place from 31 October through 4 November in South Africa. The virtual prayer team was asked to pray for four outcomes:
- A renewed sense of identity. 55% of participants had not been to a Global Gathering before. It was extraordinary to see the joy and excitement on people’s faces as they welcomed old friends and got to know new ones. Several participants shared that they had learnt much about the Alliance and understood their role within it better. In one session, a few past leaders helped us understand where we have come from so that we can better understand where we will go.
- That participants would grapple with the most important insights, challenges and learnings. It was extraordinary that everyone was very engaged even when people started to get tired.
- That participants would have renewed clarity of next steps in the Alliance. We spent time on the final day discerning what each organisation should focus on as a result of the event. This included reflecting on who we should partner with and offer the hand of friendship to.
- That participants will look back to the event as a time in which they experienced God’s presence. God’s presence was strong, tangible and tender at many moments during the event.
Pray now for delegates to discern how to move ahead with what they have learned.
Celebrating God for his faithfulness: Kenya
Join BTL (Bible Translation & Literacy) in celebrating God for his faithfulness. His hand and grace were seen in the success of the annual Run for the Bibleless. The 17th edition of this event took place in Nairobi, Nakuru and Eldoret on 16 March and in Mombasa on 13 July. It came with great news as over 15,000 people were present. Thank God also for the completion of several Scripture portions. BTL participated in the dedication of the Chonyi New Testament and the completion of the Marakawet Bible and the Upper Pokomo New Testament. Also, the books of Genesis, Esther and Malachi in Samburu were dedicated to the joy of that community. Thank God for the continued support that BTL has received from individuals, churches, corporate organizations and learning institutions. Celebrate God for his protection upon the lives of all BTL staff members and their families.
Being grateful: Peru
Thank God for the support of Miramonte Baptist Church of El Salvador and a Bible academy in Chiclayo, Peru, who invited Jenner and Rosalba Valdivia to talk about the translation work they are involved in among the Quechua people in Lambayeque, Peru, and their involvement in training Latinos for Bible translation ministry. Give thanks for each person who made time to meet and pray, and for their continued support and provision to the Valdivias and the Lambayeque project.
Two translation projects approaching the finish line: Philippines
Praise God with the Translators Association of the Philippines! Through God’s enabling, the Ginsalugen Subanen New Testament in Misamis Occidental and the Gaddang New Testament in Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela are approaching the finish line by 2025. May God provide funding for printing and audio recording of the New Testament for these projects. May he also provide the best voice actors for the projects. Pray against any strongholds that work against the furtherance of the gospel in these communities. Pray for good health and well-being for the teams and their families. Pray for the support of their respective communities in preparing for the launch of these two New Testaments in 2025.
Fall semester off to a good start and new Biblical studies master’s degree announced: Jerusalem, Global
Praise God for the largest enrolment at Jerusalem Seminary to date! The fall semester began with 62 students from 21 countries. On 12 November, an opening convocation was held in Jerusalem and via live stream. It was a time of fellowship, worship, encouragement and prayer. A new Master of Arts in Biblical Studies programme was announced to begin in the fall of 2025. Highlights from the evening included addresses from President Baruch B. Kvasnica, PhD (submitted), Academic Dean Dr. Robert Morehouse, and a keynote address from advisory council member Rev. David Pileggi of Christ Church Jerusalem. School of Hebrew Director Jochanan Lowenstein, and H4N (Hebrew for the Nations) teacher Yuval Gabay, who both recently taught Biblical Hebrew in Asia and Nigeria, gave exciting updates. Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Studies Dr. Walter Kaiser also gave meaningful encouragement from his perspective as a longtime professor and member of the Jerusalem Seminary advisory council. Ask God to call students, to give strength and wisdom to faculty and staff, and to provide grace for all the details to come together for the new graduate program to serve God’s kingdom.
Church and community-based Bible translation approach: Solomon Islands, USA
More than 60 people representing seven language communities and churches under SICA (Solomon Islands Christian Association) and SIFGA (Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association) in Honiara attended the Church and Community Based Bible Translation (CCBBT) overview from 4-7 November. This workshop, organised by the South Pacific Bible Society in partnership with Global Partnerships of Wycliffe USA, provided the opportunity to taste the CCBBT approach in Bible translation. There was great enthusiasm from the participants. Pastors and church leaders gave a positive response to embracing this approach that will enable them to participate in the Bible translation movement. An estimated 10 language communities in the Solomon Islands are still waiting for the Scriptures in their heart languages. The minister who led the devotions on the last day said, “A new day has dawned for us.” Pray that through the CCBBT approach, the church will be able to take on Bible translation as part of its ministry and that people will experience transformation through access to God’s Word.
Celebrating 32 years: Burkina Faso
In 2024, the Association Nationale pour la Traduction de la Bible et l’Alphabétisation (ANTBA) celebrates the Lord for 32 years as an organisation. On this occasion, the General Assembly, made up of all its members, friends and supporters, together with the Board of Governors, the executive management and all the permanent and seasonal staff, celebrated the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness. Praise God for that four New Testaments have been dedicated in 2024. Celebrate God also for several completed programmes, including the first complete Bible in the Nuni language, the New Testament in the Buamu Cwii language and the complete Bible in the Kassem language. Two students have returned from doing training in Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament in Israel. Five staff persons benefited from internships to improve their skills. The new Board of Governors was installed on 27 July.
Streams of Prayer is the prayer bulletin of the Wycliffe Global Alliance.
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Valrie McCarthy
Language Development Officer
Wycliffe Caribbean
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