Gratitude for God’s Faithfulness: We Prayed, God Answered
Prayer is at the heart of everything Pioneer Bible Translators does. That’s been true for 50 years. From our small beginning in 1976, to the arrival of our first missionaries in our first field location two years later, and through the ensuing 48 years, we have seen God’s hand move mightily in answer to prayer.
Today we pause to share with you a few of the many ways God has answered prayers throughout this year as our teammates have translated Scripture and made disciples in some of the most remote and challenging places in the world. Let’s celebrate His faithfulness together!
Snapshots of God’s Faithfulness
Trauma care in Nile Africa
- On February 25, 2025, we prayed: “God, please raise up more local people in Nile Africa to serve in trauma healing ministry.”
- On January 8, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, for providing funds to expand the work of trauma care in Nile Africa. Thank you for the healing you are bringing as additional local churches have been able to engage in this ministry.”
Visas in South Asia
- On August 28, 2025, we prayed: “God, please provide stable visa platforms so our teammates can continue facilitating translation and Scripture impact work on-site in the South Asia area.”
- On February 3, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, for granting visas that enable our teammates to continue living and ministering in South Asia.”
Bible study groups among Roma people
- On May 29, 2025, we prayed: “God, please help our teammates form Bible study groups in each Roma dialect for which we are translating your Word.”
- On March 5, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, for Bible study groups that have been formed in four Romani languages.”
The Pentateuch in West Africa
- On April 1, 2025, we prayed: “God, please enable the printing of the Pentateuch in a West African language. Please prepare people’s hearts to receive and respond to the foundational teachings in these first five books of the Bible.”
- On March 29, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, for the publication of … the Pentateuch in [a West African language].”
Help behind the scenes in Nile Africa
- On January 30, 2025, we prayed: “God, please send administrators and logistics personnel to meet the needs of our growing number of translation and Scripture impact workers in a region of Nile Africa.”
- On April 14, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, for answering prayers for a teammate gifted in logistics and administration to serve in Nile Africa.”
Protection in Eurasia
- On September 9, 2025, we prayed: “Lord, please protect our workers from detainment, searches, and denials when traveling in parts of Eurasia.”
- On April 30, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, for protecting teammates who serve in Eurasia. Thank you that they have faced zero detainments and denials.”
Internet access in Papua New Guinea
- On November 6, 2024, we prayed: “God, please provide a reliable way for teammates in Papua New Guinea to communicate with each other regularly, as many are now living in remote locations without reliable cell phone or internet access.”
- On June 7, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, for answering prayers for improved internet access for our teammates in Papua New Guinea. Thank you for the ways this will enhance communication with teammates in remote villages and expedite their work.”
A New Testament in South Asia
- On September 16, 2025, we prayed: “God, please facilitate the typesetting, publication, and dedication of a strategic New Testament in South Asia.”
- On July 1, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, for your constant protection and provision, which allowed our teammates in the South Asia area to translate and dedicate a New Testament.”
Visas in Central Asia
- On March 26, 2026, we prayed: “God, please open doors for teammates who need visas and other permits to legally live and serve in their locations.”
- On July 29, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, for providing visas for teammates to live and serve in Central Asia.”
Sign language translation
- On September 8, 2025, we prayed: “God, please help us start seven Action Bible Sign Language or verse by verse sign language projects by 2030.”
- On August 3, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, that we are now working in six sign languages.”
A New Testament in East Africa
- On October 9, 2025, we prayed: “Lord, please protect our teammates in East Africa as they approach the end of their work translating the New Testament.”
- On September 13, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, that a people group in East Africa is receiving the New Testament in their own language today!”
New sign language translation
- On June 19, 2025, we prayed: “God, please provide the people and funds needed for growing the number of Deaf communities we serve.”
- On Sunday, October 11, 2026, we praised: “Thank you, God, that our first Deaf missionary family has arrived in Brazil.”
Keep praying with us
Do you see the pattern? God’s people asked, and God answered. Sometimes His answer came quickly. At other times it came only after many months of faithful prayer. Every answer is a reminder that prayer propels the mission of Bible translation and disciple making. It’s also an encouragement to remain faithful in praying, even when we’ve been waiting years for God’s answer.
Thank you for praying with us. As Pioneer Bible Translators begins its next 50 years, we invite you to keep praying — for open doors, for perseverance, and for transformed lives through God’s Word in every language.
