Celebrating UBS 78th Anniversary
He stopped warfare throughout the world, the bow and javelin were destroyed,
He stops wars all over the world, the bow and javelin he destroys,
The round shields He burned up.
The round shields He burned up.
(Psalm 46:10, BIMK)
The round shields he burned.
Every 9 May Bible Societies around the world celebrate the Fellowship of Bible Societies Day of Prayer (United Bible Societies-UBS)! This special day, established in conjunction with the anniversary of the founding of UBS on 9 May 1946, is a powerful expression of the unity of the hearts of Bible societies in Christ.
On 6 May 1946, delegates from 13 Bible institutes from around the world gathered in Sussex, England. Some of these church and Bible institute delegates had not yet recovered from the shock of war. Some of them had even lived as prisoners of war for years. Despite the tragedy of war, the participants did not show sadness or despair. Instead, there was a strong determination and hope to form a fellowship in Christ. They were people whose faith was already in place and who bore witness to God's protection and provision in times of distress and fear during the war.
The motivation of the messengers was almost the same, which was to "meet the needs of mankind around the world for the Word of God, and build a solid Christian fellowship among Bible institutes to work together to spread the Word of God."
That motivation hasn't changed until today when UBS celebrates its 78th anniversary.
In the year 2024, war and conflict have spread to areas of the world that have not experienced violence for decades. There are theatres of war where peace and stability previously reigned. About one-fifth of the Bible institute's ministry areas around the world have recently experienced violence, conflict, and political instability.
In addition to the above issues, throughout 2024, dozens of countries are expected to hold democratic elections, including Belarus, Belgium, the European Union, Ghana, India, Mexico, Namibia, Solomon Islands, the United States, and many more, to determine the quality of governance of these countries going forward.
About half of the world's population will be asked to choose their political leaders this year. Future politicians and leaders need our prayers (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Whether in times of conflict or peace, our leaders, whether government leaders or church leaders, need divine wisdom and the support of our prayers so that they can carry out their leadership duties with justice, honesty and the fear of the Lord. The freedom as well as the ease of service of Bible institutes around the world cannot be separated from the role of the country's political leaders. Antagonistic political leaders have the potential to affect the ability of any Bible Institute to share the message of the Bible with the public.
This year, four formal prayers were written by four leaders of Bible Societies affected by violence and conflict in 2024. The prayers were joined by two written by Dr Cristian Romocea, UBS Head of Relations with Churches Under Pressure and Rev Dirk Gevers, UBS Secretary General. The four leaders of Bible institutes entrusted with writing the prayer for 2024 are: Pastor Anatoliy Raychynets (Deputy General Secretary of the Ukrainian Bible Institute), Magda Victor (General Secretary of the Haitian Bible Institute), Pastor Khoi Lam Thang (General Secretary of the Myanmar Bible Institute), Pastor Ismail Abdulrahman Kanani (General Secretary of the Bible Institute in Sudan).
Each prayer conveyed the leader's heart for the problems of his or her nation and the Bible Society's desire to help restore peace and stability.They invited the entire UBS family to call on God for His provision and protection.
Let us unite our hearts and lift our voices in prayer to our loving and merciful God. The world needs our prayers to our Heavenly Father this year as much as ever. Anniversary of the World Fellowship of Bible Societies (United Bible Societies). May His will be done in all things!"
