Category: Please Pray (Page 3 of 10)

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” — Psalm 133:1

Somau Garia culture is a consensus-based culture. Decisions are not made in isolation–there is a much higher level of interdependence between people than we know in the West. One spiritual battle that must be waged–and has a much higher impact on relationships–is for the unity of believers. This is especially true for the believers who are devoted to translating the New Testament into the Somau Garia language. Ask God to break through the barrier of disunity among the Somau Garia co-workers–that His name might be honored and his body strong. Ask God to unite them solely on the basis of their task–but by His Spirit.

“He [Jesus] disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” — Colossians 2:15

Somau Garia culture is what some call “shame-based”. Saving face is of high value in social status and function. A few years ago, a clan neighboring our house in Uria Village burglarized it. Most expressed profound shame when I visited last year–a level of shame that will likely require ritual to make right. Ask God to break through the pain and shame of wrongdoing, that Jesus’ grace and penetrate Somau Garia culture. Jesus shamed the spiritual powers that he defeated, not the people he came to save.

“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” –Romans 6:14

In the years following the publication of The Gospel According to Mark in the Somau Garia language, one of the more skilled Somau Garia workers, S.K., took a moral detour from the straight and narrow. His fellow workers banned him from the team. Ask God, by his grace and patience, to bring S.K. to repentance and renewal. Ask God to work powerfully through the published Mark to cut S.K. to the quick, that he might serve God with his whole heart. Pray also that, when he turns back, he will be restored to the translation team. Pray that God will break through S.K.’s heart barriers, that he might be fully God’s servant.

“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” Philippians 4:14

Paul was writing the Philippian church, commenting on their faithful partnership in ministry. They were at times the only ones concerned with his physical needs. Physical needs are more than just money. In the area of Papua New Guinea where we serve, tuberculosis is pandemic, as is malaria, amoebic dysentery, etc. Our Somau Garia co-workers are frequently at risk for debilitating disease. One of our Somau Garia co-workers, E.P., was afflicted with tuberculosis in his bones and was hospitalized for five months a few years ago. It has affected his mobility. Pray that God will protect and sustain the Somau Garia nationals (and their families) who have given themselves to the work of New Testament translation. Ask God to grant them strength and sound health so that nothing will hinder the Somau Garia from gaining access to the Word of God in their heart language. Ask God to break through the health barriers that hinder the work of transformation (through the Word) among the Somau Garia people.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.

“You do not have because you do not ask God.” James 4:2.

The first verse is a precious promise given those who follow Jesus without reservation, the second a rebuke to those who quarrel and fight to selfishly acquire more. Somewhere in between we find the need to approach the throne of grace with full assurance of faith—trust—in a loving Father who provides for our needs as we serve Him.

Ask God to break through the barrier of financial need in order that the translation of the Somau Garia New Testament might resume soon–that Jesus’ name might be exalted in the nations.