Intercede with Greater Focus and Understanding

Traveling to over forty different countries, meeting church leaders who are, at times, risking their lives in the course of doing ministry, and hearing their unique challenges and joys can be an exhausting prospect.  Fortunately, Brian Stiller has logged all the travel time, and he has shared his unique experiences and insights in An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World. 

Meet Ajith Fernando, known as “the John Stott of Asia,” who remains in ministry in his homeland of Sri Lanka in spite of the devastation of violent ethnic conflict and the religious persecution that prevents Christians from having access to education for their children, purchasing property, or even renting public facilities for Bible studies or worship services.

Walk the crowded corridors of a Mexican prison where sleeping space is wherever you can find it (bathroom floors, hallways), and entire sections have been given over to the management of drug cartels.

Visit a seminary in Indonesia that was founded by a man who traveled to the United States to complete his own seminary training, but then returned with a huge vision for church planting that led to the establishment of not only the seminary, but the vision of every graduate planting a new church.

Inspiring stories are followed by Scripture passages and items for prayer related to the country and/or ministry from that day’s reading.  With a colorful map nearby, An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World would be an excellent resource for family devotions with school-age children.  Also with the Olympics coming up soon, there will be greater opportunity for introducing kids to hard realities about ministry in parts of the world represented by the athletes.

The Insider’s Guide is an un-intimidating reference for a believer who knows she “should” be praying more intentionally for missionaries and extending her prayer ministry to areas of great need around the world . . . but doesn’t know where to begin.  As we pray fervently for brothers and sister in Christ around the world we become motivated to become part of the solution and to trust God for bigger things in our own lives.

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This book was provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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