How to pray for Alliance organisations

Community and generosity are two values of the Alliance. Each organisation aims to operate in collaboration with churches, partners and the rest of the Alliance rather than in isolation. We can generously give our time to prayer for the rest of the Alliance community.

The leaders of each Alliance organisation are committed to one or more participation streams as a focus for their work. When we come to pray for other Alliance organisations we can pray effectively even if we do not know the details of the projects of an organisation or the challenges the staff currently face by understanding the streams to which they are committed.

These prayer resources give some ideas on how to pray for organisations engaged in fulfilling the goals of the various participation streams. They are not exhaustive but they will help you to get started and then let’s be guided by the Holy Spirit as he reminds us of verses or themes to pray.

Specific prayer needs are shared weekly in Streams of Prayer to which you can subscribe.

Pray for Alliance organisations involved in the Bible Translation Programmes stream

Wycliffe Global Alliance organisations involved in the Bible translation programmes stream manage one or more Bible translation programmes. These typically include Scripture engagement and literacy elements.

Pray for these organisations:

Thank God for the ever-increasing number and variety of Bible translation programmes throughout the world. Organisations small and large work together to make sure people have Scripture in the language and format that communicates the best.
Pray for the people involved in managing Bible translation programmes to serve with honour and integrity. Ask God to make them wise as they oversee personnel, time management and funding challenges. Ask God to help them to manage programmes effectively and efficiently while still honouring the translation project staff and the community they serve
Pray for unity among the staff of the Alliance organisation and the partners involved in a Bible translation programme, including the church, community and other local Alliance and partner organisations. Ask God to help them build relationships which demonstrate God’s love in unity as they respect and honour one another.
As an Alliance, we long for ‘Individuals, communities and nations [to be] transformed, through God’s love and Word expressed in their languages and cultures’. Pray for the staff of each Bible translation project to demonstrate God’s love. Pray that each verse of Scripture translated will bring transformation in their own lives, in the lives of others and in the community as a whole.
Ask God to help the Alliance organisation to establish good systems to monitor progress and understand Bible translation needs among language communities in their context.

Pray for Alliance organisations involved in the Church stream

An Alliance organisation relates to local churches and church organisations for the purpose of participating together in the mission of God. Staff come alongside churches to encourage, help, strengthen and help equip them to fulfil a meaningful role in Bible translation.

Within the Alliance, the relationship with the Church is increasingly rich and complex. Some churches (and church denominations) are Alliance organisations because they lead and manage Bible translation programmes.

Pray for these organisations:

Thank God for all churches that understand their role in the mission of God. Thank God for each church that prays for Bible translation, sends members to be part of Bible translation movements or supports Bible translation financially or in other ways.
Pray for Alliance Organisations with staff involved in building and expanding relationships with local churches and church organisations. Ask God to help them communicate clearly and understand the needs of the churches they serve.
Pray that Alliance staff will clearly communicate vision for Bible translation. Ask God to enthuse the hearts of many leaders and members of churches around the globe to be more involved in Bible translation through the Church stream.
Pray for fruitful relationships between Alliance organisation staff and church and denominational leaders. Pray that many become advocates for language communities who do not yet have God’s Word in the language they understand well.

Pray for Alliance organisations involved in the Funding stream

Alliance Organisations in the Funding stream encourage generosity for Bible translation by raising funds in the country where they are located, for the operations and/or support of Bible translation programmes.

Pray for these organisations:

Pray that staff will find innovative ways to use communication networks to share stories of how God is generously providing.
Ask God to help staff in Alliance organisations to build capacity for funding and/or conducting fundraising activities. Pray that these organisations can find creative ways to develop significant fundraising programmes and activities.
Pray that these staff members will be able to share a passion and a vision for Bible translation and its impact with potential partners in ministry.
Pray for the staff as they develop and model biblically-based generosity training. Ask God to help them lead this training dynamically in churches or ministries and that the training will encourage them to give generously for Bible translation.
Ask God to give wisdom to those budgeting and distributing financial resources. Pray that they will be able to disperse financial resources in a way that values and demonstrates an appreciation for national, regional and global efforts within the Alliance community.

Pray for Alliance organisations involved in the People stream

Many Wycliffe Global Alliance organisations recruit and/or send people to serve in Bible translation movements in many different contexts. Jesus said, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’ (Luke 10:2.NIV)

Pray for these organisations:

Thank God for each person serving in the Bible translation movement around the world.
Ask God to provide many more people to serve in Bible translation movements. Pray for good connections between those whom he asks to serve and sending organisations.
Pray for the staff of Alliance organisations in the People Stream to focus on encouraging people to engage and serve. Ask God to help them develop creative strategies to connect with and encourage the people God is calling to serve him in Bible translation.
Pray for good relationships and understanding between sending and receiving organisations. Ask God to help them develop practices and approach challenges in ways that respect each other and honour God.
Pray for staff in each of these organisations to prepare new personnel effectively. Pray that each one sent will receive the supportive care they need to thrive spiritually and stay healthy physically and emotionally.
Ask God to help staff develop strong Human Resource systems, in line with legal requirements in their countries.

Pray for Alliance organisations involved in the Prayer stream

We recognise the vital importance of prayer in our organisations. In the Prayer Stream, the goals of an Alliance organisation include encouraging and supporting prayer for the Bible translation movement at large, as well as for internal needs. We seek to encourage others to pray for individuals, communities and nations to be transformed through God’s love and Word expressed in their languages and cultures.

Pray for these organisations:

Praise God that he is developing a culture of prayer within the Alliance. Thank him that many Alliance organisations have committed to being part of the prayer stream
Pray for staff who develop and/or oversee prayer programmes and initiatives. Pray that they will pursue God with relentless energy in their own lives and encourage others to do the same.
Pray for prayer staff members as they develop creative strategies for coordinating, sharing and distributing information. Pray that their efforts will stimulate and help sustain regional and global prayer groups and networks.
Ask God to give the staff members boldness as advocates for Bible translation in prayer movements and events.
Ask God to multiply the numbers of prayer supporters and praying churches that relate to Alliance organisations. Ask God for more intercessors for Bible translation – people of every age, race and church tradition.
Pray that God will build and strengthen relationships between Alliance organisations and other partner organisations and networks.

Pray for Alliance organisations involved in the Specialty Services stream

The Wycliffe Global Alliance is a community of organisations serving and supporting one another in many ways. Some organisations provide practical help and/or specialised consultation services to support Bible translation. These can include the areas of finance, technology, administration, organisational development, partnerships and human resources and more.

Pray for these organisations:

Thank God for the commitment of these organisations to make available staff with these skills to serve the needs of Alliance and Bible translation movements around the world. Ask God to bless them as they prioritise service and increase the emphasis and importance that they place on serving Bible translation movements in this way.
Ask God to resource the staff who serve in specialty areas with excellent skills and the capacity to meet the needs of Alliance organisations that seek their assistance and training.
Pray for clear communication and excellent relationships between Alliance organisations as staff serve alongside others in this way. Ask God to bring them together in unity and friendship.
Pray that networking for linking organisations and providing Specialty services will expand

Pray for Alliance organisations involved in the Training stream

Bible translation is a complex task. We want God’s Word to be translated accurately and well. Some Alliance organisations regularly offer training courses in topics relevant to Bible translation roles and programmes, often in cooperation with other organisations. People attending these courses are equipped to serve with excellence.

Pray for these organisations:

Praise God that Alliance organisations are able to offer high-level training to staff who serve in Bible translation movements.
Ask God to provide all the personnel that are needed to staff training programmes. Pray that, where necessary, people will be willing to relocate so that each programme has enough staff with the right expertise.
Pray for staff involved in these training programmes. Ask God to provide their financial and practical needs and also give them good health and strength. Pray for their spiritual vitality. Courses are often very demanding and trainers generally work long hours.
Ask God to guide staff to know which courses to offer. Pray that he will help them and give them wisdom as they develop accessible and high-quality courses.
Ask God to provide suitable locations for training courses. Pray that all the necessary books, technology and other resources will be available as they are needed.
Pray for good relationships and cooperation between Alliance organisations and other partners involved in training. Ask God to bring unity of purpose, excellent teaching and resources which result in well-equipped staff to serve in Bible translation movements.