Shalom is the theme for the Wycliffe World Day of Prayer 2020. Shalom, often translated as “peace,” has a meaning that goes beyond just an absence of conflict, says American pastor and writer, Tony Evans.
“The Hebrew word shalom can be defined as a life put together,” Evans wrote in a Bible App devotional called Jehovah Shalom. “It’s a life characterized by a sense of wholeness and well-being. We cannot have shalom apart from God.”
That kind of peace is sorely needed in a “VUCA world,” says Stephen Coertze, executive director of the Wycliffe Global Alliance.
“VUCA describes a world that is Volatile, Uncertain, Changing and Ambiguous,” says Coertze. “Over this last year, we have been reminded how broken this world is . . . when we experienced the coronavirus pandemic. This is a reminder of what many of our language communities experience on a daily basis.”
Coertze says Scripture reveals Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace—and the peace He gives is different than what the world gives.
“On this World Day of Prayer, when we unite together across the globe in prayer . . . we can pray for His peace to reign in this problematic world we are living in.
“But we can also pray for the language communities we serve, that we are part of, that through the ministries of Bible translation, they will also receive and experience peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This year, Wycliffe Canada will be joining its partners OneBook and the Canada Institute of Linguistics to host one-hour prayer meetings via Zoom on Nov. 11, 12 and 13. The number of participants is limited so register early.
More at wycliffe.net