Pray for Ministries to the Deaf

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Thank you for joining us this month as we take up “The Invitation” and join together with thousands of YWAMers from around the world as we pray and hear from God. This month we will be praying for YWAM’s Ministries to the Deaf.

Topic suggested by a participant in The Invitation in Liberia; written by Carole McClelland in Jamaica. Photo of a Nepali man signing the word “Jesus.” Photo from YWAM Deaf World.

According to YWAM’s Deaf World ministry, the 70 million Deaf individuals worldwide constitute one of the largest unreached people groups. They form unique cultures, which YWAM Deaf World recognizes by capitalizing the word “Deaf.” There are more than 300 sign languages worldwide, and only one of those has a complete video Bible translation. According to YWAM Deaf World, only an estimated two percent of the Deaf have embraced Christianity. Please take a moment right now to pray for the Deaf, and please also pray with us on March 14th, the prayer day for YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation.

1. Pray for the ongoing work of Bible sign language translation. The American Sign Language Version is the only complete Bible available in video format. There are about 80 translation projects in different stages of development all over the world. More people passionate about the Bible and highly skilled in those sign languages are needed.
2. Pray for YWAM Deaf World, a new ministry and resource to expand YWAM Deaf ministries worldwide. The purpose is to raise up the Deaf and those fluent in sign language to become missionaries by equipping them for success to reach Deaf people groups worldwide. Pray for more staff and finances to provide training and support to those in YWAM locations working with the Deaf and those wanting to get started.
3. Pray for the multiplication of Deaf Discipleship Training School students and staff around the world. The most effective way to reach the Deaf world is by sending Deaf missionaries as passionate lovers of Jesus, but they first need to be ignited, discipled, and supported. We need more fluent signers to train more leaders.
4. Pray for unity and collaboration among Christian organizations working to reach the Deaf. The amount of collaboration is growing fast. The different approaches, styles, and strategies among organizations can make partnerships challenging, but the Holy Spirit is breaking down barriers and making a way.

Take Action

To get involved in working with the Deaf through YWAM, visit ywamdeafworld.org. For information on sign-language Bible translation, go to deafbiblesociety.com.

Global Prayer Initiative

In order to prepare for the YWAM Together meeting in September in the Philippines, we are called to a three-day fast, March 26-28. Please watch these videos: Y Global Prayer Initiative #3 (Garth, Paul D & Rachel D), and  Y Global Prayer Initiative #4 (Sun Awh & Josh Cole).

How We Prayer

January, 2024: Oral Bible Translation

“Greetings from Zambia. I would like to join as a Bible translator in Zambia. I have a passion for translation. I hope to hear from you soon” (L.M.).

Join The Invitation.

Sign up for prayer emails and find translations in many languages at ywam.org/theinvitation. Please contact us at prayer@ywam.org to let us know how you prayed, to recommend a prayer topic, or to request an advance copy of the prayer guide.