Streams of Prayer for 28 February 2022

The Streams of Prayer for 28 February 2022, is a circular from Wycliffe Global Alliance. Wycliffe Caribbean makes this available.

Bible Translation Programmes

Wycliffe Global Alliance serves Bible translation movements because we long for language communities to encounter God through his Word. The Alliance trusts ‘God to transform lives through His Word translated into the languages and cultures of the world’s peoples’. (From Purpose, Mission, Vision & Values)

Our current theme for Streams of Prayer is Bible Translation Programmes, one of the participation streams for the Alliance. More than 50% of Alliance organizations manage Bible translation programmes. It is important for us to pray that God’s Word will be translated well, effectively and efficiently. So ask God to impact language communities around the globe as people read, listen to or see translated Scripture. Pray also that they will understand it and be transformed.

Perseverance in translation: Malaysia

Praise God for the Kenyah translation team’s perseverance and endurance to complete the translation of 2 Chronicles and Isaiah in 2021. Wycliffe Malaysia leads the Kenyah translation project. Before the pandemic, the team travelled to villages to interact with and receive feedback from people in the communities. They continue these visits despite the challenge of COVID protocols. Pray for the team’s safety and protection as they travel. Pray for the team’s progress of back translation and exegesis* of the portions of Psalms and Song of Songs, taking place before the consultant checks scheduled from March to May. Praise God for the good relationships between the Kenyah people and the translation team. Pray that together they produce an understandable translation that will transform lives.
*Back translation is a literal translation back into the national language, or to a language of wider communication. Exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of Scripture.

Bible translation for the Deaf: Romania

The Deaf Bible translation team in Romania is currently working on the Gospel of Mark. However, some translators have been ill, putting the project behind schedule. Also, it is difficult to carry out community checking during the pandemic. So pray for God’s protection and good health for the translators, and for their continued progress recording Scripture passages. Also pray for possibilities to accomplish community checking in person or online. In addition, pray that the Deaf community would engage with the published Scripture, resulting in transformed lives.

Bible translation for the Roma: Romania

Wycliffe Romania began a Bible translation project in the Romani standard language in October 2021. The first consultant check on John chapters 18-21 took place in a Roma community, south of Romania, in January 2022. Praise God that the check went well, with few changes necessary.
Pray for: 

• the team in forming a linguistic committee to make decisions about key terms;
• a successful literacy program and growth in oral/audio strategies.

Pray that: 

• many Roma churches would take part in a Scripture engagement program;  
• that the Romani Scriptures would provide a strong foundation for the spiritual movement God set in motion among the Roma people groups. 

Eastern Apurímac Quechua Bible translation: Peru

The translators and consultants’ team from AIDIA (Interdenominational Association for the Integral Development of Apurímac) participated in a read-through of the translated books from Hebrews to Revelation for clarity. Additionally, they have incorporated notes and observations, revised parallel passages and cross-references. They have also written and revised words from the glossary, integrated some stories to help with reading the most relevant passages from the Old and New Testament, and reviewed and chosen maps and other aids. So praise God for the team of translators, financial partners, consultants, and all those involved in this project. This translation will be a great blessing for many Quechua speakers of that region. AIDIA now hopes to achieve the entire Bible in print. Also pray for God’s guidance in the next step of editing and final printing.

Persevering through darkness and pain: Papua New Guinea

The Nankina language community experienced an intense spiritual battle in 2021. One translator’s wife and son died. Another translator’s son died, and his wife left. Despite these painful experiences, the team continues with the translation, with this reminder from Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): ‘But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint’. So pray for this Scripture translation, the Nankina translators, and the language workers. (Bible translators association PNG)

Pressing on in the face of danger: Burkina Faso

Some projects in Burkina Faso are located in areas of instability due to terrorist activity. Pray for protection for the staff of the San Maya and San Matya projects. Also ask God to strengthen the teams and help them find ways to continue translation. The focus for the Koronfé project staff is making the audio Bible available to people who face frequent terrorist activities. So ask God to bring hope and comfort to these people groups through his Word. 

Pukapuka New Testament translation progress: Cook Islands, New Zealand

Praise God for the work of the Bible Translation Checking Group of the Cook Islands in 2021. Pray for Metua, Tea, and Tapi as they post daily video readings on the Pukapuka Bible page on Facebook. Also pray for their spiritual vitality and personal walk with him day by day. Pray also for Kevin and Mary Salisbury from Wycliffe New Zealand as they communicate with fellow translator Mailalo Melota, and work together on the final draft of the Pukapuka New Testament before publication. Finally, pray that God would bless their efforts this year.

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Valrie McCarthy
Proclaimer Officer
Wycliffe Caribbean
7A South Avenue
Kingston 5
JAMAICA, W. I.
876 754 9334, 908 2970, 582 6592

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