What if you had no access to the Old Testament? No account of creation? No record of God’s early works of deliverance, forgiveness, patience, and love?

For a large majority of Australia’s Aboriginal people, the full Bible does not exist in their widely spoken language of Pitjantjatjara, leaving more than 10,000 people without the complete story of God’s love.

For centuries, European colonization threatened the very existence of Aboriginal people. Their land, culture, language, and lives were taken. As they continue working to rebuild from a long history of oppression, they need to know they are precious in the sight of God.

In 2002, the New Testament and 15 percent of the Old Testament were translated into Pitjantjatjara, prompting a deeper longing for more Scripture. “We want to know what God is saying to us in the rest of the Bible,” Pitjantjatjara Christians say. “We want the whole Bible in our language.”

Translating the Old Testament into Pitjantjatjara

Today, 30 Pitjantjatjara translators in six locations are working on translating 10 different books of the Old Testament: Daniel, Joshua, Numbers, Isaiah, 1 and 2 Samuel, Psalms, Proverbs, Leviticus, and Song of Songs. Though the full project will take years to complete, there is much excitement behind it—in part because it was initiated by the Pitjantjatjara people themselves—the driving force behind its success!

“I learned many things about translating from English to Pitjantjatjara. And more than that, I learned many new things about God’s Word that make my whole heart really rejoice,” says Umati, a translator on the project.

Will you join us in praying for Australia’s Aboriginal people to have the full Bible by 2024?

Let’s Pray Together:

God, thank you for the translators dedicated to translating your Word into the Pitjantjatjara language. Grant them strength, health, and perseverance. We pray that your message of love will strengthen the Aboriginal people and restore their communities. Thank you for your sovereignty over all things.