a year in prayer - american bible society news · from your prayers. we celebrate the privilege of...
TRANSCRIPT
1
AYear
inPrayer
2 0 1 8 P R A Y E R R E P O R T
2 3
W E P R AY F O R Y O U , O U R D E A R F A M I LY O F
P R AY E R P A R T N E R S . W H I L E Y O U ’ V E B E E N
P R AY I N G F O R U S A N D O U R W O R K I N B I B L E
M I N I S T R Y, W E ’ V E B E E N P R AY I N G F O R Y O U .
Roy Peterson, President and CEO, American Bible Society
“
4 5
Why We PrayT hroughout Jesus’s time on earth,
he was in constant communication
with his Father in heaven. He laid
out a clear example for us in Matthew 6—
what we refer to as The Lord’s Prayer.
At American Bible Society, we seek to
model the Lord’s commitment to prayer—a
passion you share with us.
Today, we celebrate the fruit that comes
from your prayers. We celebrate the privilege
of linking arms with you—18,000 faith-filled
prayer partners from over 25 nations—for a
year’s worth of prayer for the Bible cause.
As you experience the heart of this
ministry and read the testimonies of
answered prayers that follow, I pray God
speaks to you with a personal reminder that
he is able. Nothing is impossible with him.
And when it feels least likely, perhaps the
biggest miracles are around the corner.
We thank God for how he hears you.
Your prayers are paving the way for more
miracles to unfold. Thank you for bringing
God’s love to others through his Word.
In him who is able,
Laura Gish
Director, Prayer Mobilization
A YEAR IN PRAYER LETTER
6,100 N E W P RAY E R PA RT N E R S
18,000 I N O U R G LO BA L N ET WO R K
25 N AT I O N S R E P R E S E N T E D
6 7
I used to get involved in the drug dealing
business and participated in criminal
activities. My life used to be miserable
and had no meaning at all,” says 48-year-old
Kaleb*. He lives with his family in a remote
village in Ethiopia.
He remembers harassing Christians and
causing strife and discord in his community.
When his neighbors were getting
together to meet, he joined them out of
curiosity. There was an audio device called
a Proclaimer that played Bible passages for
them to listen to. God caught his attention
with Scripture.
“I was so impacted by the words that
were narrated in the Proclaimer. The Word
of God says God is love and he forgives the
sins of humanity. I learned that God has
intervened in life without any effort that I put
to change my life.”
As the Bible’s message softened the
heart of Kaleb, a profound transformation
took place. “I have learned that God’s Word
has power to change the lives of those who
closely listen to him. I believe that my life
has got a new shape and I believe that I
have become born again.”
The difference is real—especially to
those around him. “My family and others in
the community have seen how my life has
been transformed because of my past, which
was crooked and meaningless.”
Today, Kaleb belongs to a church. His life
has a sense of purpose as he serves Jesus
in his community. “I have learned love and
care from Jesus Christ.”
A YEAR IN PRAYER ETHIOPIA
God IntervenesOver the past year, you prayed for people to meet
Jesus. God heard your prayers. Meet Kaleb.
*Name changed for security purposes.
8 9
A YEAR IN PRAYER DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
T here was no food in the house.
Viola and her family had migrated
from Haiti to Dominican Republic,
looking for a better life. They were out of
money, time, and resources.
But Viola wasn’t out of hope. And so she
prayed. She asked God in faith for a way to
feed her grandchildren.
While she was still praying, a Bible
Society bus pulled up. The children went
running out to see what was going on.
What was this strange vehicle doing at their
home? Why were these people unloading
rice, milk, beans, toiletries—all things they
desperately needed?
It was part of Dominican Republic Bible
Society’s ministry to provide God’s Word
along with the essentials people need to
survive. And it was part of God’s plan to
provide for Viola and her grandkids in a
miraculous way.
The family could not stop praising God
for his blessing. God hears our prayers.
Let’s thank him together.
PRAYER OF THANKSFather, thank you for answering our pleas on
behalf of those in need. Thank you for giving
us our daily bread. Please continue to provide
faith and sustenance for caretakers like Viola
and their families.
God ProvidesA Haitian immigrant grandmother cries out to God
on behalf of her six grandchildren ... and he provides.
A YEAR IN PRAYER TESTIMONIES
“God’s Word is the source and
sustaining force of our universe.
One of his greatest gifts to us is
his written Word, which he has
given as instruction for life, but
also a testimony of his vast love
for us. If we truly love others, I
cannot think of a better prayer
than for them to engage with
their Father’s holy Word.” – JAMIE
“Praying for the Bible
cause is an honor for me.
I’ve seen God answer
prayers from the smallest
need to worldwide
intervention when it
seemed hope was gone.
God is faithful; when I
pray according to his
Word, he answers, and my
faith is strengthened.”– MARY ANN
“My greatest blessing
has been finding your
ministry and becoming a
part of praying for all of
the different needs.”– LUCILLE
“God has the
whole world
in his hands
and I want to
be involved
by praying for
American Bible
Society bringing
the whole Word
to the world. It’s
a joy to partner
in prayer.”
– LUCY
“Prayer is life-changing.
We pray because it connects
us to God’s heart. When
we pray, we are reminded
of God’s undying love, his
unstoppable power, and his
infinite wisdom. He can do
what we cannot. And he uses
you to accomplish his will.
Through your prayers, God is
releasing his extraordinary
power around the world.
Thank you for being part of an
international family of prayer
partners. And thank you for
sharing your heart with us so
we can pray for you, too.”
God bless,
KANITA & NENA
PRAYER MOBILIZATION
Talking with GodHere’s what you shared about the power of prayer.
12 13
A YEAR IN PRAYER AMERICA
D ave* is a U.S. Army Officer. When
he received a Military Bible, he
started reading it—and noticed a
big difference. “It showed me how personally
the Word of God can be taken, and I’ve found
ways to incorporate that into my everyday
life. Reading Scripture became one of the
most rewarding experiences when combined
with prayer ... that little bit of connection with
God brightens up even the darkest time.”
Mike* is a U.S. police officer. When his
station received Strength for the Street, a
Bible designed for law enforcement, he knew
it was from God. “At that exact time and at
that exact place my heart was broken and I
felt absolutely empty. What you all did for me
lifted my spirits and showed me God has a
way of looking out for you when you need it
most and you think he has forgotten about
you ... This was God’s way of saying ‘I got
you and your back, Mike.’”
Christie led a life of pain and suffering that
started with abuse and ended in prison. After
attending Bible-based trauma healing, she
was able to heal in ways she never thought
possible. “I have learned to cling to Jesus.
When I have stuff going on with me, I take it
directly to the cross.”
God is responding to your prayers for the
nation through the power of his Word. His
healing touch is reaching and transforming
the lives of people like Dave, Mike, and
Christie every day. Thank you for praying!
God RespondsOver the past year, you’ve covered America and its
people in prayer ... and God heard every word.
*Names changed for privacy reasons.
14 15
F or victims of devastating trauma,
forgiveness can feel impossible.
But with God, nothing is impossible.
Tahira* lives in Bahrain and has a heart
for the hurting. She attended a training so
she could help people deal with traumatic
life-events by studying and applying
Scripture. Tahira had no idea that the truths
she’d discover would uncover pain in her own
life and lead her along a path toward peace
and healing.
“I learned not to hold guilt, especially
anger after my father’s death and nearly the
death of my marriage. The grief turned into
anger and a broken heart. Now, I understand
clearly. When I experienced healing,
I understood it all.” Tahira is using her new
knowledge to bless others more deeply.
“I am even able to go out and help
others who are hurting or grieving. It is an
ongoing process, and I am so happy that I
understand that and will value it for the rest
of my life.”
PRAYER OF THANKSFather, thank you for healing so many broken
hearts. You are the Great Physician. We
entrust to you Tahira and those you place
along her path. Please continue to bless them
with your healing hope and relentless love.
A YEAR IN PRAYER BAHRAIN
God HealsThis year, you prayed for trauma survivors
from all around the world. God was listening.
Tahira of Bahrain is proof.
*Name changed for security purposes.
16 17
A YEAR IN PRAYER CUBA
C an you hear it? It’s the sound of
celebration. Rejoicing. A reunion
between two loves: God and his
people—as they take his Word in their hands
and hold it tight against their hearts. For
many, this is their very first Bible ... ever.
Last summer, you prayed for the nation
of Cuba. You joined in asking God to provide
one million Bibles to a people longing for a
deeper relationship with God. You believed
that he is able to deliver.
And God answered.
On June 2, 2018, in historic Havana,
an unprecedented gathering of locals and
friends from around the world gave thanks
for the gift of God’s Word.
One million of them!
“We were praying because we didn’t
have Bibles to give [new church members]—
and suddenly we got an invitation to receive
those Bibles. It is a great blessing. Someone
is praying and God is touching hearts of
those who will be used to bless us,” says
local pastor Karil Prado Ruiz.
THAT SOMEONE IS YOU! You heard the call. You stepped up to the
need. You spoke to God on behalf of others.
People you’ve never met, like Pastor
Prado, felt your prayers.
God heard your prayers.
And today, a nation is growing in their
relationship with Jesus as a result of your
faithful prayers.
“Thank you for allowing God to use you,”
says Pastor Prado.
God DeliversYou prayed for a million Bibles to reach the people of
Cuba. Today we can say, “Hallelujah in Havana!”
18 19
WHY IT’S A MIRACLECuba’s Communist government banned Bible
distribution in 1969. For the 40-plus years
that followed, copies of the Bible became
more and more scarce. For a nation of 11
million predominantly Christian people,
with new believers on the rise, there were
simply not enough Bibles. Around 40 percent
of believers couldn’t access a Bible, and
another 35 percent had copies that were
falling apart with pages tearing and fading.
One pastor said that after a baptism,
he didn’t have enough Bibles for the new
believers—“So we gave away our own!”
Families, churches, and communities
shared their Bibles, taking them apart and
exchanging sections of Scripture with each
other. Some resorted to memorization, while
others hand-wrote verses down as a way to
preserve the beloved text.
GOD DELIVERS When the idea to supply the nation of Cuba
with one million Bibles was first proposed
in 2013, the $5 million undertaking felt
insurmountable. But nothing is impossible
with God! Through love, prayers, and support
poured out from partners around the world,
he did it!
Today, one million believers have brand
new copies of God’s message of love at
their fingertips—open access to the wisdom,
A YEAR IN PRAYER CUBA
truth, and love of their Creator. They now
hold Bibles they can relate to—Children’s
Bibles for young people, study Bibles for
new believers, and large-print Bibles for the
elderly. Studying Scripture will deepen their
connection with Jesus.
As one Bible Society staff member
puts it, “It’s God’s answer to their prayers.
They feel loved, they feel cared for, they feel
blessed, they feel answered. There’s such a
joy in their hearts and there are no words to
describe that.”
PRAYER OF THANKSFather, we thank you for multiplying your Holy
Word to satisfy the hunger and thirst for you
in Cuba. Please bless the people of this nation
and continue to meet their every need. We
ask for your provision as we seek to distribute
another million Bibles across Cuba.
1 M I L L I O N B I B L E S
A N D C O U N T I N G
2 0 1 3
6 6 k2 0 1 8
1 m2 m
2 0 2 2
Right now there is
someone longing to
experience God’s written
message of love for
himself and for his family.
Please pray for Bible
translation for the 165
million people who do not
have any Scripture in their
language.
Right now there is someone
in pain. Trauma has filled his
life and hope seems so very
far away. He longs to feel
the nearness of God and be
rescued from this suffering.
Please pray for the Bible-
based trauma healing ministry
to grow. Pray for churches to
respond to the hurting in their
communities with God’s saving
message of hope.
Right now
someone is
unsure about the
future after losing
her home in a
devastating flood.
Please pray
for those
recovering from
natural disasters.
Pray that generous
support will flow
to meet needs
and that God’s
Word will provide
comfort and peace.
Prayer in ActionYou’ve seen prayer work. As your heart is moved to
continue talking to God about anything and everything,
will you include these needs?
Right now there is a Christian
who can’t access a Bible
without putting her life at risk.
Her heart’s desire is to grow
closer to Jesus.
Please pray for the Bible’s
message to reach and
encourage believers in the
hardest-to-reach regions.
Right now there is someone who doesn’t know Jesus. He
lives in a nation founded on freedom, but feels trapped in a
downward spiral where nothing satisfies.
Please pray for unbelievers to put their trust in God. Pray for
the millions with access to a Bible to become enthralled with
its life-changing message.
A YEAR IN PRAYER PRAYING FOR 2019
22 23
O U R F A T H E R W H I C H A R T I N H E A V E N ,
H A L L O W E D B E T H Y N A M E .
T H Y K I N G D O M C O M E ,
T H Y W I L L B E D O N E I N E A R T H ,
A S I T I S I N H E A V E N .
G I V E U S T H I S D A Y O U R D A I LY B R E A D .
A N D F O R G I V E U S O U R D E B T S ,
A S W E F O R G I V E O U R D E B T O R S .
A N D L E A D U S N O T I N T O T E M P T A T I O N ,
B U T D E L I V E R U S F R O M E V I L :
F O R T H I N E I S T H E K I N G D O M ,
A N D T H E P O W E R , A N D T H E G L O R Y,
F O R E V E R .
A M E N .
Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)
“
24
K E E P I N TO U C H
Send prayer requests [email protected]
Get prayer news americanbible.org/prayer
Stay connected facebook.com/circleofprayer