Praying for people with only Scripture portions
How to pray for people who have just received the first portion of Scripture in their mother tongue
Begin with thanksgiving to God:
- that He wants to communicate personally with these people and now has available for doing so the first portion of His primary tool, the Bible, in their language. Use John 20:31
- that He has sent His Holy Spirit into the world to convict these people of their need, to guide them into His truth, and to make Christ personally known to them. Use John 16:8-15
- that He will use those who minister His Word among them to bring many to faith in Christ, to maturity in life and to fruitfulness in service. Use John 17:20; 2 Tim.3:15-17
- that His Word provides the foundation for the church He will plant among them. Matt 16:18
- that His Word gives them authority to evangelize their own people and join in making Him known to the rest of the still unreached world. Use Acts 6:7; 14:27.
Pray for the acceptance and distribution of this very first portion:
- that it may be publicly recognized as God's Word for the entire community. Neh. 8:1
- that leaders may welcome it, commend it to others, and use it both personally and publicly.
- that people will realize it is a first installment and look forward to the whole Bible.
If the language had not been written before, writing what they speak and reading what is written may seem like magic and not a skill available to all. Pray:
- that they will want to know God and what He has said. Claim Matt.5:6
- that reading classes may be available and they will not be hesitant to attend. Claim Rev. 1:3
- that reading may become a community value, for all, men, women and children. Neh.8:3
- that those who can read will read aloud so others may hear what God has said. Rev.1:3
Some people may know a trade or national language which has Scripture. Pray they will:
- not belittle their mother tongue and reject the Scripture portion now translated in it.
- also want to learn to read and use the published portion in their own language.
- be willing and eager to teach others to read and use this first portion of Scripture.
- offer their help to translate more portions from the trade or national language Bible.
Pray for those who possess a copy of this first published portion, that they will:
- come to trust in Christ through reading it or hearing it read. John 20:31
- read it many times, memorize it, and seek God's help to obey it. Matt 7:24
- discuss among themselves how to apply it in their own way of life. James 1:22
- use it to exhort and encourage one another in following Christ. 1 Tim.4:13
- use it as the basis and authority in their witnessing to others. 2 Tim.4:2
- realize it is a man-made translation, and make suggestions for revision where needed.
(developed by Wycliffe USA)
