Latest News #281
May 27, 2004

The following news concerns the UBS World Day
of Prayer.

Round-the-clock prayer across the world: more news about the
UBS World Day of Prayer

WORLD — “We thank God that we could join the rest of the United Bible Societies family to offer prayers to help us in our work in these challenging times,” commented the Rev Mpundu Mutala, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Zambia, following a special service in Lusaka to mark the UBS Day of Prayer on May 9. On this day, Christians in Zambia joined many others living in different time zones across the world to create a 24-hour prayer relay in which they thanked God for the 200-year history of the Bible Society movement and committed its future to him.

By the time this service got under way, staff at the Bible Society in Cambodia were already several hours into a 24-hour prayer session which had begun at 8a.m. “We really thank God that all seven staff members joined together and were so actively involved in the Day of Prayer,” wrote General Secretary Yos Em Sithan in a message to the World Service Center. She also shared the news that the Society had translated the prayer provided in the UBS Prayer Booklet for May 9 into Khmer and requested that churches use it in their services on that day.

As May 9 progressed, Christians from many denominations gathered at Northmead Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church in Lusaka, beginning their time of prayer together with a series of praise songs. Prayers of thanksgiving for the Bible Society movement and for the future of Bible work were then led by representatives of various Churches and organisations. Mr Mutala told the congregation about how Mary Jones’ vision of owning a Bible in her own language led to the creation of the British and Foreign Bible Society, while the showing of the new UBS video Seasons in Time gave an insight into how the Bible is continuing to inspire ordinary people today.

“People still have needs everywhere,” commented Pastor Eddie Chansa of Life Line Community Church after seeing the video. “The answer is in sharing the Word of God.”

In a time zone further north, Bangui, in the Central Africa Republic, was another focal point for prayer on May 9. Here, the Bible Society undertook a number of initiatives, including broadcasting radio and television slots, to ensure that both church congregations and the general public were aware of the significance of the Day of Prayer. Congregations were invited to pray and raise funds for Bible work, while Church leaders and two government ministers were also invited to join Bible Society staff on the morning of May 9 itself. As well as prayer, this event included a dramatic presentation in storytelling style designed to draw attention to the benefits people gain by having the Bible in their own language.