Prayer Focus Bulletin 2018-01-21
Language development with health focus: Asia
Praise God for the good start to language development research* for a language in Asia. The facilitator for the project would like to produce a simple grammar and phonology and finish his study of the socolinguistic situation by May. He also plans to begin with literacy materials that focus on medical issues. As they learn to read and study the materials, people will learn how to improve their health. Pray that he find people to work with him on this project. Ask God to help him develop materials that are easy to read, while also communicating health principles.
*Before beginning language development activities, it is helpful to do research on the language structure, vocabulary and use by different groups in the society.
Training translation consultants: Southeast Asia
Pray for the Translation Consultant Development* Workshop, planned for late January and early February. Ask God to give the participants adequate time to prepare ahead of the workshop. Pray for safety as they travel to the training location and later go to remote locations to check Scriptures translated by different translation teams. Pray for the training staff and mentors who will work with these new trainees. Pray that many of these trainees become well-qualified consultants.
*Translation consultants review translated Scripture for completeness, accuracy and naturalness. The training involves two weeks of classroom sessions, followed by three or four sessions during the following two years doing the consulting while being monitored by an experienced consultant.
Preparing Luke: Gabon
Praise God that translation teams are progressing well on the linguistic study needed for eight languages in Gabon. This is to prepare for the translation and checking of the book of Luke over a three year period. The translation teams have assignments to collect some stories in each of these languages before their February workshop. Having good narrative stories will help them as they prepare to translate the narratives about Jesus in Luke. Pray for the staff of the workshop as they prepare e-readers with translation helps for the team members before their time together.
New Testament drafted: Southeast Asia
Praise God that the New Testament for a regional language is completely drafted. Pray for the translation team as they meet with consultants to finish the checks* to approve it for publication. Pray that the team and consultants will work well together as they check parallel passages in different books and review the use of key vocabulary. A liturgy and song book for this language is ready for publication. Ask God for a smooth publication process and that the book can be widely distributed.
*Consultant check: A translation consultant thoroughly goes over the translation with the team, checking for accuracy, clarity and naturalness, and looking for omissions, extraneous thoughts or possible misconceptions.
Almost ready to publish: Asia
Praise God that a New Testament is almost ready for publication in a language of Asia. Ask God to strengthen the team doing the final read-through and revisions. Pray for the study group members who are using the translated Scriptures to grow in their understanding. Ask God to expand the number and membership of these groups, especially in new areas of the language community. Pray for the facilitator for this project, as his time is now divided between translation and an administrative role.
New Testament celebration: Southeast Asia
Pray for the New Testament celebration planned for February 2 for a major regional language. Thank God for the Scripture engagement activities that have preceded this event. Pray for local people with a heart to pray for God to use the Scriptures in the lives of His people. Pray that the celebration committee can find and designate a Scripture engagement coordinator to encourage use of the published and audio New Testament. Ask that God’s Word will strengthen and encourage many believers in this region.
Developing Christ-centered rituals: South Asia
Praise God for the church leaders who are studying rituals in their own community for life-events like birth, death, marriage and house building. They are reviewing what they have found and are working to develop appropriate and meaningful Christian forms of ritual. For example, in their traditional culture when a house is built, people perform specific rituals to keep spirits from bringing a curse on the village. The Christians do not want to worship the spirits, so they are working on rituals which bless the home and show Christ's power over the spirits. Appropriate Christ-centered rituals will relieve the fears of their neighbors. Pray for wisdom for these leaders.
from Prayer Focus Bulletin http://ift.tt/2mVBEcb












