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W E P R AY F O R Y O U , O U R D E A R F A M I LY O F

P R AY E R P A R T N E R S . W H I L E Y O U ’ V E B E E N

P R AY I N G F O R U S A N D O U R W O R K I N B I B L E

M I N I S T R Y, W E ’ V E B E E N P R AY I N G F O R Y O U .

Roy Peterson, President and CEO, American Bible Society

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Why We PrayT hroughout Jesus’s time on earth,

he was in constant communication

with his Father in heaven. He laid

out a clear example for us in Matthew 6—

what we refer to as The Lord’s Prayer.

At American Bible Society, we seek to

model the Lord’s commitment to prayer—a

passion you share with us.

Today, we celebrate the fruit that comes

from your prayers. We celebrate the privilege

of linking arms with you—18,000 faith-filled

prayer partners from over 25 nations—for a

year’s worth of prayer for the Bible cause.

As you experience the heart of this

ministry and read the testimonies of

answered prayers that follow, I pray God

speaks to you with a personal reminder that

he is able. Nothing is impossible with him.

And when it feels least likely, perhaps the

biggest miracles are around the corner.

We thank God for how he hears you.

Your prayers are paving the way for more

miracles to unfold. Thank you for bringing

God’s love to others through his Word.

In him who is able,

Laura Gish

Director, Prayer Mobilization

A YEAR IN PRAYER LETTER

6,100 N E W P RAY E R PA RT N E R S

18,000 I N O U R G LO BA L N ET WO R K

25 N AT I O N S R E P R E S E N T E D

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I used to get involved in the drug dealing

business and participated in criminal

activities. My life used to be miserable

and had no meaning at all,” says 48-year-old

Kaleb*. He lives with his family in a remote

village in Ethiopia.

He remembers harassing Christians and

causing strife and discord in his community.

When his neighbors were getting

together to meet, he joined them out of

curiosity. There was an audio device called

a Proclaimer that played Bible passages for

them to listen to. God caught his attention

with Scripture.

“I was so impacted by the words that

were narrated in the Proclaimer. The Word

of God says God is love and he forgives the

sins of humanity. I learned that God has

intervened in life without any effort that I put

to change my life.”

As the Bible’s message softened the

heart of Kaleb, a profound transformation

took place. “I have learned that God’s Word

has power to change the lives of those who

closely listen to him. I believe that my life

has got a new shape and I believe that I

have become born again.”

The difference is real—especially to

those around him. “My family and others in

the community have seen how my life has

been transformed because of my past, which

was crooked and meaningless.”

Today, Kaleb belongs to a church. His life

has a sense of purpose as he serves Jesus

in his community. “I have learned love and

care from Jesus Christ.”

A YEAR IN PRAYER ETHIOPIA

God IntervenesOver the past year, you prayed for people to meet

Jesus. God heard your prayers. Meet Kaleb.

*Name changed for security purposes.

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A YEAR IN PRAYER DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

T here was no food in the house.

Viola and her family had migrated

from Haiti to Dominican Republic,

looking for a better life. They were out of

money, time, and resources.

But Viola wasn’t out of hope. And so she

prayed. She asked God in faith for a way to

feed her grandchildren.

While she was still praying, a Bible

Society bus pulled up. The children went

running out to see what was going on.

What was this strange vehicle doing at their

home? Why were these people unloading

rice, milk, beans, toiletries—all things they

desperately needed?

It was part of Dominican Republic Bible

Society’s ministry to provide God’s Word

along with the essentials people need to

survive. And it was part of God’s plan to

provide for Viola and her grandkids in a

miraculous way.

The family could not stop praising God

for his blessing. God hears our prayers.

Let’s thank him together.

PRAYER OF THANKSFather, thank you for answering our pleas on

behalf of those in need. Thank you for giving

us our daily bread. Please continue to provide

faith and sustenance for caretakers like Viola

and their families.

God ProvidesA Haitian immigrant grandmother cries out to God

on behalf of her six grandchildren ... and he provides.

A YEAR IN PRAYER TESTIMONIES

“God’s Word is the source and

sustaining force of our universe.

One of his greatest gifts to us is

his written Word, which he has

given as instruction for life, but

also a testimony of his vast love

for us. If we truly love others, I

cannot think of a better prayer

than for them to engage with

their Father’s holy Word.” – JAMIE

“Praying for the Bible

cause is an honor for me.

I’ve seen God answer

prayers from the smallest

need to worldwide

intervention when it

seemed hope was gone.

God is faithful; when I

pray according to his

Word, he answers, and my

faith is strengthened.”– MARY ANN

“My greatest blessing

has been finding your

ministry and becoming a

part of praying for all of

the different needs.”– LUCILLE

“God has the

whole world

in his hands

and I want to

be involved

by praying for

American Bible

Society bringing

the whole Word

to the world. It’s

a joy to partner

in prayer.”

– LUCY

“Prayer is life-changing.

We pray because it connects

us to God’s heart. When

we pray, we are reminded

of God’s undying love, his

unstoppable power, and his

infinite wisdom. He can do

what we cannot. And he uses

you to accomplish his will.

Through your prayers, God is

releasing his extraordinary

power around the world.

Thank you for being part of an

international family of prayer

partners. And thank you for

sharing your heart with us so

we can pray for you, too.”

God bless,

KANITA & NENA

PRAYER MOBILIZATION

Talking with GodHere’s what you shared about the power of prayer.

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A YEAR IN PRAYER AMERICA

D ave* is a U.S. Army Officer. When

he received a Military Bible, he

started reading it—and noticed a

big difference. “It showed me how personally

the Word of God can be taken, and I’ve found

ways to incorporate that into my everyday

life. Reading Scripture became one of the

most rewarding experiences when combined

with prayer ... that little bit of connection with

God brightens up even the darkest time.”

Mike* is a U.S. police officer. When his

station received Strength for the Street, a

Bible designed for law enforcement, he knew

it was from God. “At that exact time and at

that exact place my heart was broken and I

felt absolutely empty. What you all did for me

lifted my spirits and showed me God has a

way of looking out for you when you need it

most and you think he has forgotten about

you ... This was God’s way of saying ‘I got

you and your back, Mike.’”

Christie led a life of pain and suffering that

started with abuse and ended in prison. After

attending Bible-based trauma healing, she

was able to heal in ways she never thought

possible. “I have learned to cling to Jesus.

When I have stuff going on with me, I take it

directly to the cross.”

God is responding to your prayers for the

nation through the power of his Word. His

healing touch is reaching and transforming

the lives of people like Dave, Mike, and

Christie every day. Thank you for praying!

God RespondsOver the past year, you’ve covered America and its

people in prayer ... and God heard every word.

*Names changed for privacy reasons.

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F or victims of devastating trauma,

forgiveness can feel impossible.

But with God, nothing is impossible.

Tahira* lives in Bahrain and has a heart

for the hurting. She attended a training so

she could help people deal with traumatic

life-events by studying and applying

Scripture. Tahira had no idea that the truths

she’d discover would uncover pain in her own

life and lead her along a path toward peace

and healing.

“I learned not to hold guilt, especially

anger after my father’s death and nearly the

death of my marriage. The grief turned into

anger and a broken heart. Now, I understand

clearly. When I experienced healing,

I understood it all.” Tahira is using her new

knowledge to bless others more deeply.

“I am even able to go out and help

others who are hurting or grieving. It is an

ongoing process, and I am so happy that I

understand that and will value it for the rest

of my life.”

PRAYER OF THANKSFather, thank you for healing so many broken

hearts. You are the Great Physician. We

entrust to you Tahira and those you place

along her path. Please continue to bless them

with your healing hope and relentless love.

A YEAR IN PRAYER BAHRAIN

God HealsThis year, you prayed for trauma survivors

from all around the world. God was listening.

Tahira of Bahrain is proof.

*Name changed for security purposes.

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A YEAR IN PRAYER CUBA

C an you hear it? It’s the sound of

celebration. Rejoicing. A reunion

between two loves: God and his

people—as they take his Word in their hands

and hold it tight against their hearts. For

many, this is their very first Bible ... ever.

Last summer, you prayed for the nation

of Cuba. You joined in asking God to provide

one million Bibles to a people longing for a

deeper relationship with God. You believed

that he is able to deliver.

And God answered.

On June 2, 2018, in historic Havana,

an unprecedented gathering of locals and

friends from around the world gave thanks

for the gift of God’s Word.

One million of them!

“We were praying because we didn’t

have Bibles to give [new church members]—

and suddenly we got an invitation to receive

those Bibles. It is a great blessing. Someone

is praying and God is touching hearts of

those who will be used to bless us,” says

local pastor Karil Prado Ruiz.

THAT SOMEONE IS YOU! You heard the call. You stepped up to the

need. You spoke to God on behalf of others.

People you’ve never met, like Pastor

Prado, felt your prayers.

God heard your prayers.

And today, a nation is growing in their

relationship with Jesus as a result of your

faithful prayers.

“Thank you for allowing God to use you,”

says Pastor Prado.

God DeliversYou prayed for a million Bibles to reach the people of

Cuba. Today we can say, “Hallelujah in Havana!”

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WHY IT’S A MIRACLECuba’s Communist government banned Bible

distribution in 1969. For the 40-plus years

that followed, copies of the Bible became

more and more scarce. For a nation of 11

million predominantly Christian people,

with new believers on the rise, there were

simply not enough Bibles. Around 40 percent

of believers couldn’t access a Bible, and

another 35 percent had copies that were

falling apart with pages tearing and fading.

One pastor said that after a baptism,

he didn’t have enough Bibles for the new

believers—“So we gave away our own!”

Families, churches, and communities

shared their Bibles, taking them apart and

exchanging sections of Scripture with each

other. Some resorted to memorization, while

others hand-wrote verses down as a way to

preserve the beloved text.

GOD DELIVERS When the idea to supply the nation of Cuba

with one million Bibles was first proposed

in 2013, the $5 million undertaking felt

insurmountable. But nothing is impossible

with God! Through love, prayers, and support

poured out from partners around the world,

he did it!

Today, one million believers have brand

new copies of God’s message of love at

their fingertips—open access to the wisdom,

A YEAR IN PRAYER CUBA

truth, and love of their Creator. They now

hold Bibles they can relate to—Children’s

Bibles for young people, study Bibles for

new believers, and large-print Bibles for the

elderly. Studying Scripture will deepen their

connection with Jesus.

As one Bible Society staff member

puts it, “It’s God’s answer to their prayers.

They feel loved, they feel cared for, they feel

blessed, they feel answered. There’s such a

joy in their hearts and there are no words to

describe that.”

PRAYER OF THANKSFather, we thank you for multiplying your Holy

Word to satisfy the hunger and thirst for you

in Cuba. Please bless the people of this nation

and continue to meet their every need. We

ask for your provision as we seek to distribute

another million Bibles across Cuba.

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Right now there is

someone longing to

experience God’s written

message of love for

himself and for his family.

Please pray for Bible

translation for the 165

million people who do not

have any Scripture in their

language.

Right now there is someone

in pain. Trauma has filled his

life and hope seems so very

far away. He longs to feel

the nearness of God and be

rescued from this suffering.

Please pray for the Bible-

based trauma healing ministry

to grow. Pray for churches to

respond to the hurting in their

communities with God’s saving

message of hope.

Right now

someone is

unsure about the

future after losing

her home in a

devastating flood.

Please pray

for those

recovering from

natural disasters.

Pray that generous

support will flow

to meet needs

and that God’s

Word will provide

comfort and peace.

Prayer in ActionYou’ve seen prayer work. As your heart is moved to

continue talking to God about anything and everything,

will you include these needs?

Right now there is a Christian

who can’t access a Bible

without putting her life at risk.

Her heart’s desire is to grow

closer to Jesus.

Please pray for the Bible’s

message to reach and

encourage believers in the

hardest-to-reach regions.

Right now there is someone who doesn’t know Jesus. He

lives in a nation founded on freedom, but feels trapped in a

downward spiral where nothing satisfies.

Please pray for unbelievers to put their trust in God. Pray for

the millions with access to a Bible to become enthralled with

its life-changing message.

A YEAR IN PRAYER PRAYING FOR 2019

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O U R F A T H E R W H I C H A R T I N H E A V E N ,

H A L L O W E D B E T H Y N A M E .

T H Y K I N G D O M C O M E ,

T H Y W I L L B E D O N E I N E A R T H ,

A S I T I S I N H E A V E N .

G I V E U S T H I S D A Y O U R D A I LY B R E A D .

A N D F O R G I V E U S O U R D E B T S ,

A S W E F O R G I V E O U R D E B T O R S .

A N D L E A D U S N O T I N T O T E M P T A T I O N ,

B U T D E L I V E R U S F R O M E V I L :

F O R T H I N E I S T H E K I N G D O M ,

A N D T H E P O W E R , A N D T H E G L O R Y,

F O R E V E R .

A M E N .

Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)

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