Ordinary Moments: Small Prayers That Can Change The WorldSample

Your Lunch Break 

Whether your schedule allows you to take your lunch break at noon or at midnight, you have an opportunity to briefly hit the “pause” button on the busyness of your day. As you eat, you can do whatever you want with your unpaid time: Take a walk, return a personal call or even read the Bible. 

You probably own at least one copy of the Bible in your language—in print and on your phone (YouVersion has over 1,300 languages available!). 

But did you know that at least 1.5 billion people around the world don’t have access to the full Bible in their language? And many of them can’t read. Though many cultures traditionally prefer oral communication, others desire to read but have no way to learn. Can you imagine going through your day unable to read signs and medicine bottles, let alone a Bible?

Today, let’s revisit the regions of the world you prayed for yesterday. This time, pray over literacy needs.

• Africa: Lord, I lift up communities across Africa who are teaching people to read with literacy programs tied to Bible translation.  
• Americas: I pray that You help people understand the importance of literacy training, knowing that these projects often lead to community development initiatives including agriculture, clean water, health centers and more.  
• Asia: I ask that You raise up new literacy specialists to develop training programs and to teach classes so that soon everyone will be able to know and experience the gospel in their language. 
• Europe: Lord, I ask that You encourage communities who have lost literacy materials due to recent civil unrest. Help them press on in the important work of literacy training.
• Pacific: I pray for the people receiving an alphabet in their language for the first time. Give them perseverance as they learn how to communicate in writing.

The Bible is God’s Word to us! Each person deserves to experience Scripture in a language and form that clearly speaks to their heart. But without literacy, many people may never grow in their knowledge of the gospel. 

Things to Ponder:

• How has reading the Bible made a difference in your life? 
• What surprises you most about literacy needs around the world?
• In addition to incorporating prayer into your daily life, what are some ways you can incorporate Scripture reading?