It’s a country with an absolute ban on Christianity. Yet believers are determined to meet, encourage, and build up their brothers and sisters in the Lord. Pastors are risking their lives pleading: Will you please help us translate God’s Word into the heart languages of our people?
I just counted 10 Bibles on my bookshelf. My newest favorite is on my desk to be read every morning. My dear prayer partners, I can’t imagine what it must be like for the persecuted believer, who is just trying to survive another day, to praise their Lord Jesus and share their faith again. Tears blur my vision as I think about these persecuted believers and their pastors—they ask us to pray. They plead for our help—because they need God’s Word.
Is your heart with mine, today? In agony? Are you teary eyed as you think of and pray for persecuted Christians? Yes, I have met and know personally Christians living in countries were persecution is expected and experienced. My heart just aches knowing the beatings they have endured because of their faith in Jesus. I weep thinking and praying for one whose dear brothers in the Lord were executed! Their friends¾killed for their faith.
Oh, friends, wherever we are, in cities or the country, in large homes or small, driving luxury cars or beaters, my dear ones, we are not persecuted. We may be slandered or treated rudely by someone mean-spirited—but we are not being persecuted. We have not been beaten and tortured to the very edge of life because we love Jesus!
You and I have been given so much—we have a responsibility to our Lord to do everything we can to help the persecuted believers around the world. We at Wycliffe Associates have been given a mandate—to see a Bible in every language by 2025. A Bible, the place where one finds wisdom, courage, strength, and guidance. Everyone, especially the persecuted, needs a Bible in their heart language.
Just a while ago six pastors from a country where Christianity is banned, risked their lives to make contact—they pleaded for help to get Scripture into each of their heart languages. Yes, Wycliffe Associates told them we would help. Yes, we have the tools and training needed. But, before trainers and logistics can be arranged, Wycliffe Associates needs the funds—$19,500 for each language group to get God’s Word.
Are you willing to take time with me now to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to direct our thoughts and prayers, to ask God: “What can I do to help the pastors and believers in these six language groups to indeed get the Bible translated into their own languages?