Streams of Prayer for 9 August 2021
The Streams of Prayer for 9 August 2021, is a circular from Wycliffe Global Alliance. This is made available through Wycliffe Caribbean.
Missions belong to God and the agent of missions is the Church. Please join with us as we pray for Alliance organisations engaged in the Church Participation Stream. We pray also for the Church as it participates in the Bible translation movement.
Effectiveness and Transformation
As we continue to navigate the uncertain times of living through a global pandemic, it is important occasionally to pause and reflect on how God has continued working despite difficult contexts.
Strengthening and renewing relationships: Papua New Guinea
Praise the Lord for the opportunity for the leaders of the Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association and the SIL Papua New Guinea (SILPNG) to come together for a retreat on June 16–20. The retreat was held at the SILPNG centre in Ukarumpa, Eastern Highlands Province. It was a time of mutual encouragement, and relationships were renewed and strengthened. Pray for wisdom and direction as leaders of both organisations plan and implement the ideas raised during the retreat. Also, ask the Lord to bless the ongoing joint activities they committed to participating in over the next two years.
A new director with a transformation mandate: Poland
For some of the smaller European Alliance Organisations, a time of transition has a big impact on everyone. Please pray for Wycliffe Poland as they are changing leadership in the coming months. Please pray for a smooth leadership transition. Wycliffe Poland is keen to see ongoing transformation as their staff seek to connect with churches throughout Poland in order to partner with them in the Mission of God. Pray also that God will deepen those church relationships.
Encouragement and a powerful prayer: Jamaica, Global
Denise Roomes, Wycliffe Caribbean Administrator, forwards Alliance Streams of Prayer emails to churches throughout the Caribbean. Recently, Mr Derik Wellington of Jamaica wrote a response: “God is very good to his people and will honour all those who serve Him. I encourage you and all those who work with Wycliffe worldwide to be faithful, your labour individually will not be in vain…” He also added a heartfelt prayer. “We commit each worker in each office in each country worldwide to you…,” he wrote. “Put a great hunger in the heart of each [one] for your divine will to be their only reason for being alive….”
Denise shared his email with the Alliance Prayer Advocacy team. This was a timely encouragement for us. One team member shared it with her church, who were also greatly encouraged. Thank God for this gift of encouragement for people involved in Bible translation worldwide! Pray that all of us in the Bible translation movement would be mindful of opportunities to share encouragement and prayer with each other.
One thing leads to another: South Africa
Wycliffe South Africa staff were in discussions with a Methodist Bishop about a potential partnership for a new translation project that is in the pipeline. One staff person wrote: “The Bishop commented to our Field Coordinator that although he works amongst the language group where we hope to start translation, he is from another language group which also needs the Bible! He asked that once we have started the current work, that we would also start work on his language. We love the way God opens doors to people groups who need the Bible.” Pray that the work can start in both these languages soon.
Sharing God’s Word in Aché: Paraguay
Vicente, a Bible translator for the Ache language of Paraguay, tells how God has worked. “When the global pandemic began, everyone had to stay in their homes. We wanted to give the message of God to the entire Aché community. God opened a door for us to establish Christian radio in the community of Ypetimi. Every Saturday, we Bible translators have two hours to teach the word of God in our Aché language and share about the importance of having God’s Word in our language. We encourage people to apply it to their lives.
Many Aché people have returned to faith in God and to the church because of the radio program. They testify to the power of God in their lives. I ask for prayer for the community of Ypetimi and the other communities, that the people will continue to walk in God’s way and trust him more every day.”
Developing friendships through language learning: Papua New Guinea
For three weeks in May, staff of the Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association (PNGBTA) and their families in Ukarumpa participated in teaching the Tok Pisin language to new personnel from other countries serving with SIL in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Besides language learning, they also taught some cultural facts and practical ways of living in PNG. During devotions, they taught Tok Pisin songs. Relationships and friendships were developed through this time of learning to appreciate and adapt to life in PNG. The Melanesian Institute (MI) was also involved to teach about PNG culture. Praise the Lord for the success of this new orientation course and the partnerships that were developed between SILPNG, PNGBTA and the MI.
Maiwala Gospel of Mark launched: Papua New Guinea
The Maiwala community came together in unity to celebrate a milestone in their history on 23 June. It was the launching of the Gospel of Mark, the first translated book of the New Testament into the Maiwala language. The launching was deferred a number of times due to the pandemic and security issues in the area. The village councillor commended the translators and encouraged them to work hard to complete the rest of the New Testament and not delay.
The translation started in 2001 and has been an uphill experience in many ways. This day marked a significant breakthrough for the Maiwala people and the translation project. The translators, church and community committed themselves to work together to see the rest of the New Testament completed. Praise the Lord for this milestone. So pray that the people will engage with God’s Word and experience its transforming power in their lives. An initial 300 copies were printed.
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