Streams of Prayer for 5 August 2024
The Streams of Prayer for 5 August 2024, is a circular from Wycliffe Global Alliance. Wycliffe Caribbean makes this available.
August 4, 2024 – August 10, 2024
Bible Translation Programmes
The current theme for Streams of Prayer is Bible Translation Programmes, one of the Alliance participation streams.
Wycliffe Global Alliance serves Bible translation movements because we long for language communities to encounter God through his Word. As written in the Alliance Foundational Statements, one of our core values is “trusting God to transform lives through His Word translated into the languages and cultures of the world’s peoples”.
We will pray for Bible translation efforts around the world. We will also celebrate lives changed through Scripture and pray that many more communities will be powerfully impacted by encountering God through the Bible translated into a language they can understand.
A Keliko woman reads from her Bible during a church service inside a refugee settlement in Uganda.
Photo: Marc Ewell (2018)
Kenyah JESUS film: Malaysia
Praise the Lord for the successful launch of the Kenyah JESUS film which is now accessible in the JESUS film app and website. Wycliffe Malaysia was encouraged to see many young people from the community participate in the celebration. Pray for wisdom and commitment for the Kenyah team that they will learn to use this film. May God use it to build and extend his kingdom.
Milestone in the work of translation: Paraguay
LETRA Paraguay is happy to announce that in July the book of Jonah will be published in the Áche, Chamacoco, Toba Maskoy, and Ñandeva languages. This is a significant milestone in the work of translation and dissemination of the Word of God among language communities of Paraguay. In addition to the publication of the book of Jonah, the Chamacoco and Nueva Vida (pseudonym) teams also will work on producing the JESUS film, based on the book of Luke. Pray that the publication of the book of Jonah in the four languages will be a blessing to these communities and that they will be able to receive God’s Word with open hearts. Give thanks for the funds received for the printing of the book of Jonah. Pray for wisdom and discernment during the script consult for the JESUS film. Pray for the community volunteers that LETRA Paraguay needs to record audio for the film.
Kuna of the Border translation makes progress: Panama
PAAM Global shares the progress of the Kuna of the Border (Kuna de la Frontera) Bible translation project. They have already advanced in translating the books of Genesis, Ruth and Jonah, which have been reviewed and approved by consultants. Along with this translated material, they have published a calendar with selected verses to share with the community. Let us pray for the new leader of the Kuna translation team and the work that has been done to date. Also, give thanks for how God has moved to lead people to participate in Bible translation.
Next steps and new starts: Philippines
Glory to God for the Gaddang, Kinamayú and Ginasalugёn Subanёn New Testament translation projects being done in partnership with the Translators Association of the Philippines (TAP). These projects are nearing completion. Pray for the next steps which include audio recording, typesetting and revision. Pray for favour from funding agencies in order for these projects to finish well. Pray, too, that the respective language communities will begin to engage fully with Scripture even before the completion of their New Testaments. Pray that the translated Scriptures would bear much fruit for the Kingdom as they reach people in these communities. Thank God also for language groups opening up for oral Bible translation to begin. Pray for funding and willing workers to be deployed from TAP to serve in these projects. Pray for all stakeholders. Pray that these language communities will be open to the gospel as the Lord of the harvest paves the way, opening opportunities for these projects to begin.
Onobasulu Scripture checking: Papua New Guinea
Praise God for the successful consultant checking of 2 Corinthians in the Onobasulu language in which three consultants participated: Duncan Kasokason, Johann Albertis and Anne Stopples from the Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association and SILPNG. During the checking session, community participants were convicted by the translated Scriptures. At various intervals, they asked for pauses so they could be prayed for. Praise the Lord for these moments of revelation by the Holy Spirit! There is a lot of lawlessness and violence in the area and many Onobasulu people have been traumatised. Pray for the continuing translation of the Scriptures into Onobasulu and that more Onobasulu people will be touched by the translated Scriptures to turn their lives to God.
A significant and pleasing celebration: Ethiopia
In February 2024, Wycliffe Ethiopia held an event celebrating the translations in the Tsara, Mursi, Innor and Zay languages. This event brought together many people, all united in their shared joy and gratitude for the precious gift of God’s Word in their tongues. One of the translators, Peteros, read from John 3:16 and tears welled up in his eyes. ‘Today is my day’, he said. ‘I praise the Lord for this incredible achievement’. Join Wycliffe Ethiopia and these communities in celebration for this accomplishment. Thank God that the dedications were also about unlocking the Scriptures for countless individuals who had longed to understand God’s Word in the language that speaks to their hearts. Praise God that this event testified to the partnerships, tireless work and dedication of many stakeholders who poured their hearts into these projects. Continue praying for other communities still expecting the Scriptures to be translated into their languages.
Starting Bible translation for the Deaf and Roma communities: France
After identifying the need for a translation of the Bible in French Sign Language and for the Roma people who live in or travel through France, Wycliffe France is seeking how to bring partners together to launch these specific projects.
- Ariels – Un réseau évangélique au service des Sourds (An Evangelical Network Serving the Deaf) has worked among French evangelical churches since 2000. La Bible LSF – Bible en langue des signes française (The Bible in French Sign Language) website was launched in 2007 in partnership with Alliance Biblique Française and Société Biblique Suisse. Since 2015, this site has provided access to free online videos of the Old and New Testaments in French Sign Language. In April 2023, three French Deaf women attended a consultation of 170 leaders from 50 sign language communities throughout Europe, to discuss collaboratively how to translate Scripture for all remaining sign languages in the region. Pray for a strong desire to work together and for surging mutual support.
- To reach the Roma people in France who still await Scripture in their language, Wycliffe France has initiated communication with pastors and partner organisations engaged in Romani Bible translation projects.
Pray that Wycliffe France and its new director, Harmony, gain inspiration from European colleagues and find the way in this ongoing partnership process.
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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