Streams of Prayer for 7 March 2022
The Streams of Prayer for 7 March 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.
Pray for ongoing translation projects: India
Praise God for the 26 ongoing translation projects in India under the guidance of Wycliffe India and partners. Ask God for his favour, help, and protection for the teams to complete the projects on schedule. Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Wycliffe India leadership as they seek partners to prioritize languages that need translation work. In preparation for new translation projects in the next years, ask God to provide committed, faithful, and qualified people to join the team. Pray for trainers, mentors, and consultants to assist the teams as they progress through each stage of the translation projects.
Progress for Huon Gulf Cluster project: Papua New Guinea
The Huon Gulf cluster project began in 2011 with two languages. Today, the cluster has expanded to include five more languages and one dialect, a total of eight groups working on various translations. Some are translating the New Testament, while others are revising New Testaments published years ago. The Malei New Testament was published in 2010, and the Malei team is currently translating the Old Testament. Praise God that the translators were able to gather in January for a 10-day workshop, where they had the opportunity to encourage one another and learn more about translation principles. Pray for the teams as they apply what they have learnt at the workshop and progress in the translation projects.
Starting Bible Translation in six languages in DR Congo: Netherlands/DR Congo
Praise God for encouraging news from CITBA (Interconfessional Centre for Bible Translation and Literacy), a partner organization of Wycliffe Netherlands, located in Isiro, DR Congo. In 2022, with active support from Wycliffe and the church leadership, translation of the Bible began for the 810,000 speakers of Boa-Yewa, Boa-Leboale, Budu-Mahaa, Mangbetu-Malele, Mangbetu-Makare, and Mangbetu-Mabiti.
Translation of Ruth, Luke, and Acts 1-8 is planned to begin in three years. Use of the Bible in public worship services in a language that speaks to their hearts will promote active use of audio Bibles and printed Bibles. Also, using a language and form they clearly understand is beneficial in information sessions on trauma and HIV/AIDS.
Pray for 30 community members in the language training courses, and pray for their translation efforts. Ask for God’s guidance in the battle against spiritual challenges experienced by many, some of which relate to idolatry, addictions, sexual abuse.
Progress through perseverance: Southern Africa
Despite security risks and threats of violence in the region where the language communities are based, the CD cluster teams have continued meeting for their translation workshops. The only delay in production occurred when members of one language group team became ill and missed a workshop. Ask God to help them as they work to catch up with the rest of the teams. From 21 March to 1 April, the teams will craft more oral stories. Pray for protection for the team members and their families in this volatile region.
Praise God for completed projects: Malaysia
Praise God for Wycliffe Malaysia’s translation projects completed amid the pandemic. Also praise God for the meaningful celebration of the book of Mark for the Semelai people completed on 15 January. The celebration for the launch of the audio recording of this book occurs via Zoom on 19 February. So pray for perseverance as the team continues with the translation of the book of Luke. Also ask God for more local translators to join the team. In addition, pray for the Semelais as they use those translations of the Scripture in a language that speaks to their hearts, that they would understand the gospel that transforms lives.
A physical celebration and virtual training: Namibia
Praise God for the successful launch event held in October 2021 for the books of Genesis and Romans in Himba. The next phase of the translation has begun. An in-person consultant workshop convened in December, and the next workshop will be held virtually from 4 to 15 April. Pray that this workshop will take place without technical complications in network connectivity.
A new approach to Sign language translation: Spain
The team for the Catalan Sign Language project hopes to complete their New Testament within the next few years using the innovative approach of computer-generated sign language. So pray for this team as they produce the first-ever New Testament developed this way. Pray also for the Spanish Sign Language team, now adapting the Catalan translation into Spanish Sign Language, as well as producing the New Testament in a video version.
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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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