I humbly admit that my prayer life needs some help. I often pray before a meal or before bed about being safe, asking God to bless our food, sleep, or the following day, say a few blurbs about asking to be forgiven of what I have done wrong, and then off to eat or sleep I go. This is not exactly the model prayer life outlined in Scripture. Moreover, little to nothing is mentioned about those around the world, whether they be brothers and sisters in Christ or the massive amount of people who need to hear the message of the gospel. Maybe my excuse is I don’t know enough about those people to properly lift them up in prayer. The reality is such an excuse does not hold water, especially given books like Brian Stiller’s An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World are available to provide helpful prayer guidance.
Stiller is the Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance. His experience interacting with nations across the globe is evident in the information contained in his book. The approach of this book is quite simple – Stiller notes where the country in question is located by providing a brief background on that country. He then moves to explore a passage of Scripture to use when praying for that country, along with the needs to focus on while doing so.
There are also other specific issues Stiller addresses in this book that require prayer, for instance, Mexican prisons, Muslims, those being persecuted and martyred for the faith, and interestingly he also includes some prayers for the Pope. Now Stiller clearly notes he is not Catholic, specifically stating “The historical and theological differences that separate us are profound.” Even so, given the considerable influence the Pontiff has over those of the Catholic faith, despite the notable theological difference which are indeed profound and important, I can understand why Stiller included the Pope as someone that needs prayer.
All in all, I found this to be a very helpful book, and will most assuredly refer to it as part of my increasing effort to reenergize my personal prayer life. Prayer cannot just be focused on what we are about to eat or to get a good night’s rest. There are real people around the globe who need prayer. Most importantly, there are individuals and people groups who need to hear the gospel. Turning a blind eye in our prayer life to these people and nations is unacceptable.
I am greatly encouraged and motivated to intercede for my brothers and sisters in the faith across the globe and also to lift up in prayer those who need to hear the gospel. In addition to this, I’m increasingly convinced I need to be in prayer for those who are taking the message to every corner of the globe. Stiller’s book is an excellent resource for your personal prayer life, family prayer, small groups, or just knowledge in general about what is taking place in some key countries and some critical issues around the world that need the prayers of God’s people.
I received this book for free from Bethany House and the opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”
Michael lives in Belleville, IL, a suburb of St. Louis, MO with his wife Erica, adopted daughter Alissa, two cats Molly and Sweetie Pie and horse Beckham. After spending eight years in the United States Navy as a Yeoman, he has been employed for the past ten years by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) where he oversees advanced educational programs. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Religion (Biblical Studies) from Liberty University and is currently closing in on completing a Master of Arts in Religion (Biblical Studies) from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an avid reader and blogger.