There is an African proverb that says, “one arm cannot surround a baobab tree.” Just as it takes a number of people to surround one of these gigantic trees, it will take the prayers of many to reach the last languages with the Word of God.
Wycliffe Bible Translators and its partners around the world are committed to Vision 2025—a desire to see a Bible translation program in progress in every language still needing one by the year 2025. Humanly speaking, this vision seems impossible. But the impossibility of it drives us closer to God, seeking His face, and in prayer, lifting up all aspects of this mission.
In 2002, the executive director of Wycliffe Global Alliance underscored the importance of prayer in the Bible translation task when he stated that “prayer is our greatest strategic response and our greatest resource.” In agreement with his declaration, all Wycliffe organizations renewed their resolve to model and prioritize prayer.
Ask God to call great numbers of prayer partners to faithfully support the Bible translation movement.
Pray for wisdom and creativity for Wycliffe USA’s Prayer Ministries team as they seek to promote and grow prayer programs, all while keeping costs low. Pray for resilience for staff conducting research to glean current information and prayer needs from around the world.
Below is a list of ways that you can join hands with us in prayer.
Commit to pray for a Bibleless people group. Today there are more than 2,000 languages still waiting for access to God’s Word in their own language. Through Wycliffe USA’s Bibleless Peoples Prayer Project you can sign up to prayerfully lay the foundation for a translation program to begin in one of these specific people groups.
Learn more about and pray for the worldwide work of Bible translation through the Intercessor, a bimonthly prayer letter produced by Wycliffe USA. It features specific prayer requests that will inform and direct your prayers for major strategic needs facing Wycliffe and its partners. Read it online, download the PDF, or sign up to receive it by mail or email; explore the options here.
The Finish Line, an annual publication (also available online) lists Bible translation projects around the world that are nearing completion—those that are within three years or less of finishing. This is often when translation teams are faced with significant challenges and sometimes setbacks leading up to the completion of a Bible translation. We know that Satan will do everything he can to stop the spread of God’s Word, but we also know that we are called to rally on the battlefield of prayer. Click here to access the 2011 edition of The Finish Line.
Consider being part of a global community praying around the clock for Bible translation. Can you imagine an unbroken conversation with God about the work He has given us to do, and keeping that conversation going until Vision 2025 is fulfilled? Vision 2025 Prayer 24×7, a program of Wycliffe Global Alliance, invites churches, prayer groups, and individuals to join together and support Bible translation in prayer, every minute of every day. Sign up for a weekly time slot to pray at https://pray24x7.vision2025.net/.
And of course, invite your friends to this blog to read daily, current prayer requests related to the work of Bible translation! Together, with our prayers encircling the ministry of Bible translation, we know that God will do great things!