Praying for a people group without the Bible
Pray:
-that they may hear.
“How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14)
-that they may believe.
“But the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.” (Hebrews 4:2)
-that they may have the Bible in their own language.
“These words were written in the script of each province and in the language of each people.” (Esther 8:9)
-that they may read or have read to them the translated Scriptures.
“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it read and take to heart what is written in it.” (Revelation 1:3)
-that resulting indigenous churches will use the Scriptures.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
“So that all nations might believe and obey Him.” (Romans 16:26)
Pray:
-by name.
If unsure of the pronunciation, do your best or simply lay the card with the name on it before God. He’ll know and understand.
“But now, this is what the Lord says —I have summoned you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
God puts a lot of emphasis on names.
-by population.
The numbers remind us each individual is important. Each one is loved by God, whether one of many or one of few.
“The Lord did not choose you because you were more numerous, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you.” (Deuteronomy 7:7,8)
-by location.
Each person is resident or currently living in a country with a government and under political and social conditions needing prayer.
“I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1,2)
-by language
They need God’s Word in their own language, both for understanding and commitment to obey and give to others.
“There are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.” (1 Corinthians 14:10, 11)
-by mission.
Where missions have already worked or are working, pray fruit and the foundation produced by the Holy Spirit may remain and be built upon by the translation of the Scriptures.
“Some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The important thing is that Christ is preached.” (Philippians 1:15, 18)
-by faith.
Believe God will establish His church among these people, using the Word to bring people to Christ and to maturity in Christ, equipping them for the good works He has planned before for them to do.
“I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18)
“The Holy Scriptures are able to make wise for salvation. All Scripture is useful…that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
Pray:
-for pre-contact concerns.
Pray God will prepare hearts with a hunger for spiritual truth, an openness to seek it and a readiness to receive Christ.
“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him.” (Acts 17:27)
-for workers to be called and sent.
“Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:38)
-for allocation of the workers.
That workers will be guided to the right location and people to help them learn the language and translate the Scriptures.
“After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:10)
-for initial contacts with the people.
Pray God will allay fears and suspicions of the people and provide friends who will make housing available and help them make the cross-cultural adjustments necessary to be accepted by the people.
“You did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God.” (Galatians 4:14)
-for ongoing relationships and communication of the message.
Pray for opportunities to serve, protection from false rumors and misunderstandings, and involvement of the community until the project becomes their own.
“Entirely on their own, they pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service.” (2 Corinthians 8:3,4)
-for the completion of the task to the glory of God.
“I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4)
(developed by Wycliffe USA)
