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An Insider's Guide to Praying for the World: · country-by-country prayer guide · inspiring faith stories · on-the-ground insights · up-to-date-maps
Empower Your Prayers for the World
Nothing fuels prayer like seeing a need with your own eyes. Journey with Brian Stiller as he gathers firsthand information and prayer requests direct from Christians around the world. Filled with stories of faith and risk, tragedy and hope, this book will help you intercede with greater focus and understanding.
Learn about other lands--both familiar ones, such as China and Kenya, and ones you may know very little about, like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Be inspired by the innovative and often difficult mission work being done in many places. But more important, take part in God's work by praying for the real needs of our brothers and sisters around the world.
An ideal resource for prayer and study groups, too.
Nothing fuels prayer like seeing a need with your own eyes. Journey with Brian Stiller as he gathers firsthand information and prayer requests direct from Christians around the world. Filled with stories of faith and risk, tragedy and hope, this book will help you intercede with greater focus and understanding.
Learn about other lands--both familiar ones, such as China and Kenya, and ones you may know very little about, like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Be inspired by the innovative and often difficult mission work being done in many places. But more important, take part in God's work by praying for the real needs of our brothers and sisters around the world.
An ideal resource for prayer and study groups, too.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2016
About the author
Brian C. Stiller
16 books2 followersBrian Stiller was raised in a minister’s home on the prairies. Educated at the University of Toronto (BA in History), Wycliffe College (Master of Religion), and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, DMin).
During the 1960s, Stiller served as director of Montreal Youth for Christ, Toronto YFC, and Canadian president of Youth for Christ.
From 1983 to 1997 his leadership as president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada www.evangelicalfellowship.ca gave him national profile as a voice for people of biblical faith. By way of weekly television, publishing a national magazine, authoring a number of books and public speaking, he helped move the evangelical community into the mainstream of influence and commentary.
Brian served as President of Tyndale University College & Seminary from 1995 to 2009. Tyndale is the oldest standing institution of its kind in Canada, serving some 1200 students. During his presidency they purchased a new campus. He was appointed President Emeritus by Tyndale.
Since July 1, 2011, Stiller has served as Global Ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance, a global alliance which serves some 600 million evangelical Christians. www.worldevangelicals.org
Stiller is founder of Canada’s national magazine, Faith Today. He hosted a national weekly television program "Cross Currents." He is the author of a number of books including: Praying For The World: An Insider's Guide to Praying for the World, Evangelicals Around the World: A Handbook for the 21st Century (General Editor); Find A Broken Wall: 7 Ancient Principles for 21st Century Leadership; You Never Know What You Have 'Till You Give It Away; Preaching Parables to Postmoderns; Jesus and Caesar: Christians in the Public Square; What Happens When I Die?; When Life Hurts: A Three-Fold Path to Healing; From the Tower of Babel to Parliament Hill.
His life mission comes from the time King David was rebuilding Israel. One group assisting him was described as those “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (I Chronicles 12:32).
Brian and his wife Lily have a son Murray (married to Catherine) and a daughter Muriel (married to Jesse Pascal); and five grandchildren.
During the 1960s, Stiller served as director of Montreal Youth for Christ, Toronto YFC, and Canadian president of Youth for Christ.
From 1983 to 1997 his leadership as president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada www.evangelicalfellowship.ca gave him national profile as a voice for people of biblical faith. By way of weekly television, publishing a national magazine, authoring a number of books and public speaking, he helped move the evangelical community into the mainstream of influence and commentary.
Brian served as President of Tyndale University College & Seminary from 1995 to 2009. Tyndale is the oldest standing institution of its kind in Canada, serving some 1200 students. During his presidency they purchased a new campus. He was appointed President Emeritus by Tyndale.
Since July 1, 2011, Stiller has served as Global Ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance, a global alliance which serves some 600 million evangelical Christians. www.worldevangelicals.org
Stiller is founder of Canada’s national magazine, Faith Today. He hosted a national weekly television program "Cross Currents." He is the author of a number of books including: Praying For The World: An Insider's Guide to Praying for the World, Evangelicals Around the World: A Handbook for the 21st Century (General Editor); Find A Broken Wall: 7 Ancient Principles for 21st Century Leadership; You Never Know What You Have 'Till You Give It Away; Preaching Parables to Postmoderns; Jesus and Caesar: Christians in the Public Square; What Happens When I Die?; When Life Hurts: A Three-Fold Path to Healing; From the Tower of Babel to Parliament Hill.
His life mission comes from the time King David was rebuilding Israel. One group assisting him was described as those “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (I Chronicles 12:32).
Brian and his wife Lily have a son Murray (married to Catherine) and a daughter Muriel (married to Jesse Pascal); and five grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 1, 2016
*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.
March 9, 2020
In considering a help for our people in praying for the world, I came across An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World, by Brian C. Stiller. As of 2016, when this book was published, Brian C. Stiller was the Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance.
The book has fifty-two chapters making it a book one can pray through in a year – giving one week to a country (most of the readings are for a country – a few are for a person or a ministry) – or, you could pray through it in fifty-two days, as I did.
Each reading has a small map of the country, statistics regarding the country – including location, population, and religions. Then – and this is what makes this book unique, Stiller writes about his time in the country and what he experienced. Each reading ends with a Scripture, items to pray for, and a prayer to pray. The book ends with a short prayer journal section.
We as Americans – and I speak as one and as one who know some – tend to forget the rest of the world exists, except in the thirty-second blips on the news. We have brothers and sisters in other countries who need our prayers – who are praying for us – and as one body, we ought to have some knowledge of them and be in prayer for them. There are numerous books and organizations that can help us do this. This book is one of them.
For the sake of having someone who has been where he is asking us to pray and tells stories about the real people and knows their needs – this is a book worth getting for your whole congregation as we did.
As a book that “only” addresses where Stiller has been, it doesn’t address every country in the world. But it is a great place to start.
[This review appears on my blog, my YouTube channel, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]
The book has fifty-two chapters making it a book one can pray through in a year – giving one week to a country (most of the readings are for a country – a few are for a person or a ministry) – or, you could pray through it in fifty-two days, as I did.
Each reading has a small map of the country, statistics regarding the country – including location, population, and religions. Then – and this is what makes this book unique, Stiller writes about his time in the country and what he experienced. Each reading ends with a Scripture, items to pray for, and a prayer to pray. The book ends with a short prayer journal section.
We as Americans – and I speak as one and as one who know some – tend to forget the rest of the world exists, except in the thirty-second blips on the news. We have brothers and sisters in other countries who need our prayers – who are praying for us – and as one body, we ought to have some knowledge of them and be in prayer for them. There are numerous books and organizations that can help us do this. This book is one of them.
For the sake of having someone who has been where he is asking us to pray and tells stories about the real people and knows their needs – this is a book worth getting for your whole congregation as we did.
As a book that “only” addresses where Stiller has been, it doesn’t address every country in the world. But it is a great place to start.
[This review appears on my blog, my YouTube channel, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]
September 16, 2019
Stiller guides readers through various countries that he has actually visited himself via his work with the World Evangelical Alliance. He shares stories of people that he or his colleagues have met, and gives practical advice on what Christians can be praying for, even including a written prayer.
While I liked the book and it did help to center my prayer life a bit, I found that after awhile, each chapter seemed to be too similar to the last - there were several different entries dedicated to prison ministry, for example, and it would have been nice to see a broader range of ministries - since there are so many around the world!
"It matters that we continue to grow a public-square presence of Christian initiatives, seeding our society with the leaven of Christian personnel, language, ideas, and leadership. The more we are silent about who we are, the less we speak out about what drives us and who provides support, the more we become like government aid. And when we do, a gospel presence is camoflauged and witness muted." p 37
While I liked the book and it did help to center my prayer life a bit, I found that after awhile, each chapter seemed to be too similar to the last - there were several different entries dedicated to prison ministry, for example, and it would have been nice to see a broader range of ministries - since there are so many around the world!
"It matters that we continue to grow a public-square presence of Christian initiatives, seeding our society with the leaven of Christian personnel, language, ideas, and leadership. The more we are silent about who we are, the less we speak out about what drives us and who provides support, the more we become like government aid. And when we do, a gospel presence is camoflauged and witness muted." p 37
November 23, 2021
Insightful, thought-provoking
Recommend this book to help anyone broaden their view of Christianity in today’s world. I think this book makes a great devotional, too.
Recommend this book to help anyone broaden their view of Christianity in today’s world. I think this book makes a great devotional, too.
February 23, 2016
As the Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance, Brian C Stiller has visited more than 40 countries around the world. These visits have offered him insights into the modalities and complexities of life in those countries. His passion and keenness have helped him forge an understanding of the needs of the people in those places.
As he says, Often it takes travelling through a country before its geography comes into focus and conflicting issues begin to make sense.
Most of these countries are nothing more than dots on a map for us. Realities not our own,
Brian takes us out of ourselves and gets us to think about the lives Christians in these places lead, lives of religious control and persecution and, in worst cases, torture. He takes us through Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Korea, Albania, Romania, Kenya, Nigeria, Turkey etc, a spread of nations from South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Many of these countries are still broken by Communism, the World wars, imperialism, tribal warfare and a host of other issues.
The book is written from the standpoint of the Evangelical Alliance, but I didn’t let that bother me. I thought that the prayers that Brian invited us to pray were heartfelt and so I joined in. After all, I do worship the same Crucified One.
Once inside a country, the author highlights the nation’s troubles through the example of one family or an individual, an example that both isolates the family or individual and holds them up for our notice. While showing us that it is just one instance of many others like it. Of people who served as witness to the Gospel by their lives, often amid difficult conditions.
Each chapter follows the same pattern: A brief history of a particular country, followed by information about its geographical location, the countries that it shares borders with, and the religions practiced by its people. Some of these countries have a high percentage of Evangelical Christians, others a lower percentage, many have a low percentage of Christians.
This section is followed by the dispatch relating to Brian’s visit there, followed by a passage from the Bible, and 3-4 points on which we readers are invited to ponder over and pray for, and finally a closing prayer.
Brian makes each country’s plight his own and writes feelingly about the travails that afflict different countries. He makes each cause for concern a reason to pray.
Some of the chapters relate to people whose lives are a witness to Christ. They include not only Evangelical leaders but also, surprise, the Pope, the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church. Other chapters are devoted to the World Prayer Movement, and issues like persecution and martyrdom, caring for the vulnerable, Prison Ministry, for Muslims, Mexican prisons, other prison ministries, and on finding new places of Spirit empowerment.
I faithfully prayed the prayers that Brian invited us to pray, and felt no need to question the veracity of the facts presented at the beginning of the chapter on each country. In the chapter on India, however, I found some glaring errors. Brian mentions that India was colonized by Germans, Portuguese and British. The truth is that the Germans never colonized India; the Dutch and the French did, apart from the Portuguese and the British.
Also, Christians in India do not form 7% of the population. Around 2% is the right figure.
Errors such as these lead me to wonder which other facts the author might have inadvertently got wrong.
I had no such grouse against the basic idea of the book, which forced me to think about people in the Third World, countries other than my own, homes to people considerably worse off.
As a general rule, one rarely thinks of others. Here one finds oneself thinking of issues like liberty, religious freedom, mortality, all in countries with unstable governance. For people who need our prayers.
Read this book. More importantly, pray for the intentions mentioned here. I think that is one way in which we can make a difference.
As he says, Often it takes travelling through a country before its geography comes into focus and conflicting issues begin to make sense.
Most of these countries are nothing more than dots on a map for us. Realities not our own,
Brian takes us out of ourselves and gets us to think about the lives Christians in these places lead, lives of religious control and persecution and, in worst cases, torture. He takes us through Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Korea, Albania, Romania, Kenya, Nigeria, Turkey etc, a spread of nations from South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Many of these countries are still broken by Communism, the World wars, imperialism, tribal warfare and a host of other issues.
The book is written from the standpoint of the Evangelical Alliance, but I didn’t let that bother me. I thought that the prayers that Brian invited us to pray were heartfelt and so I joined in. After all, I do worship the same Crucified One.
Once inside a country, the author highlights the nation’s troubles through the example of one family or an individual, an example that both isolates the family or individual and holds them up for our notice. While showing us that it is just one instance of many others like it. Of people who served as witness to the Gospel by their lives, often amid difficult conditions.
Each chapter follows the same pattern: A brief history of a particular country, followed by information about its geographical location, the countries that it shares borders with, and the religions practiced by its people. Some of these countries have a high percentage of Evangelical Christians, others a lower percentage, many have a low percentage of Christians.
This section is followed by the dispatch relating to Brian’s visit there, followed by a passage from the Bible, and 3-4 points on which we readers are invited to ponder over and pray for, and finally a closing prayer.
Brian makes each country’s plight his own and writes feelingly about the travails that afflict different countries. He makes each cause for concern a reason to pray.
Some of the chapters relate to people whose lives are a witness to Christ. They include not only Evangelical leaders but also, surprise, the Pope, the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church. Other chapters are devoted to the World Prayer Movement, and issues like persecution and martyrdom, caring for the vulnerable, Prison Ministry, for Muslims, Mexican prisons, other prison ministries, and on finding new places of Spirit empowerment.
I faithfully prayed the prayers that Brian invited us to pray, and felt no need to question the veracity of the facts presented at the beginning of the chapter on each country. In the chapter on India, however, I found some glaring errors. Brian mentions that India was colonized by Germans, Portuguese and British. The truth is that the Germans never colonized India; the Dutch and the French did, apart from the Portuguese and the British.
Also, Christians in India do not form 7% of the population. Around 2% is the right figure.
Errors such as these lead me to wonder which other facts the author might have inadvertently got wrong.
I had no such grouse against the basic idea of the book, which forced me to think about people in the Third World, countries other than my own, homes to people considerably worse off.
As a general rule, one rarely thinks of others. Here one finds oneself thinking of issues like liberty, religious freedom, mortality, all in countries with unstable governance. For people who need our prayers.
Read this book. More importantly, pray for the intentions mentioned here. I think that is one way in which we can make a difference.
January 30, 2016
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.]
When I was a middle schooler, every Monday my local newspaper, The Tampa Tribune, would have a short profile about a foreign country that I used to help improve my geography knowledge, and that was frequently used in my world geography class. If the U.S. State Department, or its Canadian equivalent (since the author is Canadian) wrote that kind of profile from a spiritual perspective and collected a book of 52 such profiles, it would look something like this book. Designed as a very detailed sort of analyses, most of them about foreign countries, this is the sort of work that requires boots on the ground and gives plenty of evidence of eyewitness testimony and someone with a taste for danger and a passion for evangelism. This is the sort of book that any country's foreign service would be proud about, and although at about 280 pages it is not a very long book, it certainly has the sort of detail that makes praying for the sake of foreign nations very easy to manage.
In terms of its contents, this book is organized like a weekly devotional in the larger scale, with most of its chapters devoted to countries like Somalia, Haiti, Thailand, China, Ukraine, Colombia, South Africa, and the like. That said, a few of these chapters deal not with countries but with different aspects of evangelism, like caring for the vulnerable, prison ministry, the world prayer movement, persecution and martyrdom, the pope, and finding new places of spiritual empowerment. Each chapter has its own consistent organization as well, showing a map and a country, giving some information about its history and demographics, including its location, population, and religious profile, usually with some sort of eyewitness dispatch, a scriptural reading, and some specific items for prayer tailored to that specific situation. This is the sort of book that one wants to read when one has a war room in mind that involves international prayer, or for those who have mission interests in foreign lands and want to pray about conditions around the world with knowledge about conditions on the ground. The author is quick to seek wisdom from locals, and intensely brave in visiting dangerous places around the world, like jogging in Honduras or traveling to Mogadishu, among other trips.
This book has a lot to offer. It is the product of a lot of travel and a deep approach, and is written with a deep heart for those who are vulnerable and forgotten. The author looks at mission work for the point of view as an evangelical, and so this book includes quite a few countries that are Christian, but where the dominant faith is Catholic (Colombia) or Orthodox (Greece, Romania) and where there are barriers to people practicing Protestant faith. The author praises both bold and brave faith in places like Somalia, and also more canny faith in areas like Laos and Burma where believers are as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves, in the author's judgment. In this book one sees examples of nations where there has been a lot of preaching and not a whole lot of conversion in the eyes of the author (Thailand), and other countries where conversion appears rapid and astonishing (India, South Korea), especially where Christians have gained a reputation for showing concern for those who have been cast off by their own people, and who have shown themselves to be people of great generosity and openness. This is a book that provides a rich food for thought and the material for many prayers, and it is a book well worth reading.
When I was a middle schooler, every Monday my local newspaper, The Tampa Tribune, would have a short profile about a foreign country that I used to help improve my geography knowledge, and that was frequently used in my world geography class. If the U.S. State Department, or its Canadian equivalent (since the author is Canadian) wrote that kind of profile from a spiritual perspective and collected a book of 52 such profiles, it would look something like this book. Designed as a very detailed sort of analyses, most of them about foreign countries, this is the sort of work that requires boots on the ground and gives plenty of evidence of eyewitness testimony and someone with a taste for danger and a passion for evangelism. This is the sort of book that any country's foreign service would be proud about, and although at about 280 pages it is not a very long book, it certainly has the sort of detail that makes praying for the sake of foreign nations very easy to manage.
In terms of its contents, this book is organized like a weekly devotional in the larger scale, with most of its chapters devoted to countries like Somalia, Haiti, Thailand, China, Ukraine, Colombia, South Africa, and the like. That said, a few of these chapters deal not with countries but with different aspects of evangelism, like caring for the vulnerable, prison ministry, the world prayer movement, persecution and martyrdom, the pope, and finding new places of spiritual empowerment. Each chapter has its own consistent organization as well, showing a map and a country, giving some information about its history and demographics, including its location, population, and religious profile, usually with some sort of eyewitness dispatch, a scriptural reading, and some specific items for prayer tailored to that specific situation. This is the sort of book that one wants to read when one has a war room in mind that involves international prayer, or for those who have mission interests in foreign lands and want to pray about conditions around the world with knowledge about conditions on the ground. The author is quick to seek wisdom from locals, and intensely brave in visiting dangerous places around the world, like jogging in Honduras or traveling to Mogadishu, among other trips.
This book has a lot to offer. It is the product of a lot of travel and a deep approach, and is written with a deep heart for those who are vulnerable and forgotten. The author looks at mission work for the point of view as an evangelical, and so this book includes quite a few countries that are Christian, but where the dominant faith is Catholic (Colombia) or Orthodox (Greece, Romania) and where there are barriers to people practicing Protestant faith. The author praises both bold and brave faith in places like Somalia, and also more canny faith in areas like Laos and Burma where believers are as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves, in the author's judgment. In this book one sees examples of nations where there has been a lot of preaching and not a whole lot of conversion in the eyes of the author (Thailand), and other countries where conversion appears rapid and astonishing (India, South Korea), especially where Christians have gained a reputation for showing concern for those who have been cast off by their own people, and who have shown themselves to be people of great generosity and openness. This is a book that provides a rich food for thought and the material for many prayers, and it is a book well worth reading.
January 16, 2016
I humble admit that my prayer life needs some help. Often I 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 provided in his book. The approach of this book is quite simple – Stiller notes where the country in question is located, provides brief background on that country, notes a passage of Scripture to pray to use when praying for that country, and notes specific needs to focus on.
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 great influence the Pontiff has over those of the Catholic faith, despite the noted 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 I 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 getting a good night’s rest. There are real people around the globe who need prayer. There are people who need to hear the gospel. Turning a blind eye in our prayer life to these individuals and nations is quite frankly unacceptable. I am greatly encouraged and motivated to intercede for my brothers and sisters in the faith across the globe and to also life up in prayer those who need to hear the gospel as well as those who are called by God to take that message where it needs to go. Stiller’s book is a great resource for your personal prayer life, family prayer, small groups, or just knowledge in general about what is taking place in some key countries.
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.”
Stiller is the Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance. His experience interacting with nations across the globe is evident in the information provided in his book. The approach of this book is quite simple – Stiller notes where the country in question is located, provides brief background on that country, notes a passage of Scripture to pray to use when praying for that country, and notes specific needs to focus on.
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 great influence the Pontiff has over those of the Catholic faith, despite the noted 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 I 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 getting a good night’s rest. There are real people around the globe who need prayer. There are people who need to hear the gospel. Turning a blind eye in our prayer life to these individuals and nations is quite frankly unacceptable. I am greatly encouraged and motivated to intercede for my brothers and sisters in the faith across the globe and to also life up in prayer those who need to hear the gospel as well as those who are called by God to take that message where it needs to go. Stiller’s book is a great resource for your personal prayer life, family prayer, small groups, or just knowledge in general about what is taking place in some key countries.
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.”
March 7, 2016
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.
//
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.”
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.
//
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.”
January 11, 2016
This fascinating and informative book is written as a daily devotional to enrich your understanding and prayers for persecuted Christians around the world. I want to stress that this is not just another book about persecuted Christians. It is called "an insider's guide" because Brian Stiller takes you deep inside each country or organization that is profiled. Stiller is the Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance, and most of his time is spent traveling to different countries, interviewing and helping missionaries, studying cultures, and praying for those he encounters. Nations from every continent are included in this prayer guide, many dealing with persecution specifically. But there are also stories from some countries that used to be closed to the gospel that are seeing mass conversions to Christianity.
Each chapter starts off with a small snapshot of each country that provides a brief history of politics and religion, the location, the population, and the religious makeup (i.e. Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.). Some chapters profile a specific humanitarian group, different prison ministries, the world prayer movement, the pope, and the Muslim religion rather than a specific country. After the history we are given a "dispatch", which is either a personal story from the author's experience in that country or organization, or a similar account from other missionaries that the author has observed. This is followed by a daily bible verse, items to pray for - specific points of interest to pray for, including resources, government, and people groups, and the chapter ends with a sample prayer that the author has written specifically for the area or organization.
This book is a wonderful resource for learning more about religion and persecution in specific areas or organizations, especially if you are planning on being a missionary yourself. I would highly recommend this book to all Christians, especially if you are passionate about missions or if you are interested in learning more about worldwide persecution. Each chapter is short and self-contained, written as a daily devotional that you can incorporate into your own prayer time. I received this as a free ARC from Bethany House on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Each chapter starts off with a small snapshot of each country that provides a brief history of politics and religion, the location, the population, and the religious makeup (i.e. Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.). Some chapters profile a specific humanitarian group, different prison ministries, the world prayer movement, the pope, and the Muslim religion rather than a specific country. After the history we are given a "dispatch", which is either a personal story from the author's experience in that country or organization, or a similar account from other missionaries that the author has observed. This is followed by a daily bible verse, items to pray for - specific points of interest to pray for, including resources, government, and people groups, and the chapter ends with a sample prayer that the author has written specifically for the area or organization.
This book is a wonderful resource for learning more about religion and persecution in specific areas or organizations, especially if you are planning on being a missionary yourself. I would highly recommend this book to all Christians, especially if you are passionate about missions or if you are interested in learning more about worldwide persecution. Each chapter is short and self-contained, written as a daily devotional that you can incorporate into your own prayer time. I received this as a free ARC from Bethany House on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2016
Author Brian C. Stiller leads readers on a journey through the world. This prayer guide’s uniqueness is derived from the author’s personal travels and anecdotes. Each brief chapter highlights one country and includes facts, a story or two based on Stiller’s personal experiences, a Scripture, a list of specific prayer requests and a guided prayer.
What I liked
1. The chapters are brief enough to read in a single sitting or use in a family devotion, making it a versatile book.
2. Stiller is a powerful storyteller. His firsthand accounts helped me feel truly connected to the people I was praying for.
3. My eyes were opened to specific prayer needs of individuals and groups through the firsthand nature of the reporting. These needs are often omitted in more traditional prayer guides.
4. Interspersed among the typical stories of tragic suffering in third-world countries are stories bursting with the radiant hope of Christ!
What I disliked
1. A picture is worth 1,000 words, and this book cried out for photographs.. With less than ten photographs scattered throughout, I found the pages a bit bland.
2. The cover touts the book’s up-to-date maps, but the maps were woefully inadequate. Each chapter shows only a black-and-white outline of the country in focus with no world context. (There are a few brief notes about the country’s location in the facts box to help orient a reader already well versed in world geography.)
3. The same personal stories that set the book apart from other prayer guides also limit it as the author does not always include the broader prayer needs for a country. For example, in his chapter on China, Stiller so narrowly focuses in on one family he met that has started a remarkable orphan-care ministry, he virtually omits all prayer requests for persecuted house churches and their pastors, which is an issue of tremendous nationwide importance.
Overall rating: 4 stars
I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
What I liked
1. The chapters are brief enough to read in a single sitting or use in a family devotion, making it a versatile book.
2. Stiller is a powerful storyteller. His firsthand accounts helped me feel truly connected to the people I was praying for.
3. My eyes were opened to specific prayer needs of individuals and groups through the firsthand nature of the reporting. These needs are often omitted in more traditional prayer guides.
4. Interspersed among the typical stories of tragic suffering in third-world countries are stories bursting with the radiant hope of Christ!
What I disliked
1. A picture is worth 1,000 words, and this book cried out for photographs.. With less than ten photographs scattered throughout, I found the pages a bit bland.
2. The cover touts the book’s up-to-date maps, but the maps were woefully inadequate. Each chapter shows only a black-and-white outline of the country in focus with no world context. (There are a few brief notes about the country’s location in the facts box to help orient a reader already well versed in world geography.)
3. The same personal stories that set the book apart from other prayer guides also limit it as the author does not always include the broader prayer needs for a country. For example, in his chapter on China, Stiller so narrowly focuses in on one family he met that has started a remarkable orphan-care ministry, he virtually omits all prayer requests for persecuted house churches and their pastors, which is an issue of tremendous nationwide importance.
Overall rating: 4 stars
I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 15, 2016
Prayer is an essential aspect of our Christian life. We'd like to pray for the nations but sometimes we just lack the right information.
Stiller has provided us with a prayer guide for many nations. There are a limited number of nations included in this book as he lists only those he has visited. While the collection is limited, the information included is interesting as he gives his own personal stories and reflections.
For each nation, Stiller has included a list of surrounding countries so the nation can be located. He then gives a brief history of the country. He adds a personal story and Scripture. He suggests several items for prayer and includes a written prayer.
In addition to nations, Stiller has also included some topics, such as caring for the vulnerable, prison ministry, the ministry of World Vision, the World Prayer Movement, and more.
I found the personal stories to be interesting. I am not sure, however, how essential they are to praying well for a country. I learned some interesting facts about countries, such as Indonesia being the largest Muslim country in the world. I found that Thailand has a king who has served since 1946 and that it was never colonized nor ruled by a Western power. Reading about the role of Belgium in the distinguishing the Hutu and Tutsi was enlightening.
This is probably the most interesting prayer guide I have ever read. The personal aspect was interesting but overall I felt the book was limited in its scope. There are many places in the world desperately needing prayer that are left out of this collection. I would suggest this book could be used as a devotional for a year, using a chapter a week. It would help one get in the habit of praying for nations. One could then move on to a more comprehensive world prayer guide.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
Stiller has provided us with a prayer guide for many nations. There are a limited number of nations included in this book as he lists only those he has visited. While the collection is limited, the information included is interesting as he gives his own personal stories and reflections.
For each nation, Stiller has included a list of surrounding countries so the nation can be located. He then gives a brief history of the country. He adds a personal story and Scripture. He suggests several items for prayer and includes a written prayer.
In addition to nations, Stiller has also included some topics, such as caring for the vulnerable, prison ministry, the ministry of World Vision, the World Prayer Movement, and more.
I found the personal stories to be interesting. I am not sure, however, how essential they are to praying well for a country. I learned some interesting facts about countries, such as Indonesia being the largest Muslim country in the world. I found that Thailand has a king who has served since 1946 and that it was never colonized nor ruled by a Western power. Reading about the role of Belgium in the distinguishing the Hutu and Tutsi was enlightening.
This is probably the most interesting prayer guide I have ever read. The personal aspect was interesting but overall I felt the book was limited in its scope. There are many places in the world desperately needing prayer that are left out of this collection. I would suggest this book could be used as a devotional for a year, using a chapter a week. It would help one get in the habit of praying for nations. One could then move on to a more comprehensive world prayer guide.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
February 18, 2016
When I selected this book to review, I did so because my heart was pricked regarding my lack of praying for the nations of the world. My habit has become to pray for the nations in which I have friends working and living. Is this bad? Certainly not. But, to me, it does feel a bit neglectful. Alas: An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World, by Brian C. Stiller of World Evangelical Alliance. Overall, this book is a great help in cultivating a spirit of prayer for the gospel’s spread around our planet.
The book is organized into 52 devotionals, each about 4-5 pages. Each devotional is organized into five sections:
a box with general country information, including population and religion statistics
a narrative portion, titled “Dispatch,” that includes on-the-ground anecdotes
a Scripture reading
items for specific prayer
a written prayer
Though this book did broaden the countries for which I prayed, I found that I eventually only accessed three sections: the box with general information, the Scripture, and items for specific prayer. Honesty betrays that I began omitting the “Dispatch” section simply because I didn’t like the author’s writing style. If you do, then you might find that section more meaningful. I skipped the written prayer because I wanted to pray in my own words. Again, that’s just a personal preference in this context.
In this world of smartphones and apps and instant updates on social media, I think this book’s main shortfall is how it can’t be updated quickly and efficiently. Conversely, the Operation World website is exactly that—a fast, profitable way to obtain up-to-date information with a few screen taps (or mouse clicks).
An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World does what you expect it to do: It provides a well-structured guide to praying through the nations. I think it is helpful for the church in that regard.
In exchange for my honest opinion, I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House.
The book is organized into 52 devotionals, each about 4-5 pages. Each devotional is organized into five sections:
a box with general country information, including population and religion statistics
a narrative portion, titled “Dispatch,” that includes on-the-ground anecdotes
a Scripture reading
items for specific prayer
a written prayer
Though this book did broaden the countries for which I prayed, I found that I eventually only accessed three sections: the box with general information, the Scripture, and items for specific prayer. Honesty betrays that I began omitting the “Dispatch” section simply because I didn’t like the author’s writing style. If you do, then you might find that section more meaningful. I skipped the written prayer because I wanted to pray in my own words. Again, that’s just a personal preference in this context.
In this world of smartphones and apps and instant updates on social media, I think this book’s main shortfall is how it can’t be updated quickly and efficiently. Conversely, the Operation World website is exactly that—a fast, profitable way to obtain up-to-date information with a few screen taps (or mouse clicks).
An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World does what you expect it to do: It provides a well-structured guide to praying through the nations. I think it is helpful for the church in that regard.
In exchange for my honest opinion, I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House.
February 18, 2016
"An Insider's Guide to Praying for the World" described 41 countries and 11 ministries and suggested specific prayer needs for each. The selected countries are places the author has been during his work with the World Evangelical Alliance. Each section started with some information about the country's history and such. The author then described what he encountered when he visited (which wasn't always recent), specific groups at work or God's work in general in the country, or further details about a defining moment in that country's history. He ended each section with a Bible verse, items for prayer, and a suggested prayer.
This book can be used alone or with a small group. If you're not familiar with the challenges that Christians face in other countries, this book provides a good overview without overwhelming a person with too many countries.
The countries covered are: Somalia, South Africa, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Albania, Romania, China, Syria, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Japan, Egypt, Rwanda, South Korea, Honduras, Colombia, Nicaragua, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Laos, Lebanon, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, Malaysia, Kenya, South Sudan, Greece, Burma/Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Palestine, Czech Republic, Philippines, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia.
The ministries or topics that get their own section are: World Vision, Prison Ministry, Bishop John, Evangelist Nick, World Prayer Movement, Persecution and Martyrdom, The Pope, Muslims, Community of Sant'Egidio, International Prison Fellowship, Mexican Prisons.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
This book can be used alone or with a small group. If you're not familiar with the challenges that Christians face in other countries, this book provides a good overview without overwhelming a person with too many countries.
The countries covered are: Somalia, South Africa, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Albania, Romania, China, Syria, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Japan, Egypt, Rwanda, South Korea, Honduras, Colombia, Nicaragua, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Laos, Lebanon, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, Malaysia, Kenya, South Sudan, Greece, Burma/Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Palestine, Czech Republic, Philippines, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia.
The ministries or topics that get their own section are: World Vision, Prison Ministry, Bishop John, Evangelist Nick, World Prayer Movement, Persecution and Martyrdom, The Pope, Muslims, Community of Sant'Egidio, International Prison Fellowship, Mexican Prisons.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 5, 2016
An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World was an intriguing book to read. Not only did I learn much about the religious atmosphere in many countries around the world, I feel better informed about the tenuous plight of Christians in those countries.
In a thoughtful, well organized book, author Brian C. Stiller introduces us to approximately 50 countries where Christians reside and bear witness of Christ, regardless of formidable obstacles. Each chapter covers a difference country. A brief, visual chapter introduction give a concise geographical and political summary, followed by a country dispatch that explains how the current cultural and political atmospheres affect Christians in that country.
Especially poignant throughout the book are the stories that Brian shares from his travels about how Christians are making a difference as they share their faith in very harsh and often unfavorable circumstances. In the final part of each chapter, Brian suggests how we as Christians can pray for Christians who live and testify in difficult circumstances.
Despite reading about the problematic situations of many Christians around the world, I found this book offers hope to all Christians, hope that despite awe-inspiring challenges, the message of Jesus Christ is spreading throughout the world, and our prayers can help. Bethany House gave me a complimentary copy of An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World by Brian C. Stiller for my candid review.
In a thoughtful, well organized book, author Brian C. Stiller introduces us to approximately 50 countries where Christians reside and bear witness of Christ, regardless of formidable obstacles. Each chapter covers a difference country. A brief, visual chapter introduction give a concise geographical and political summary, followed by a country dispatch that explains how the current cultural and political atmospheres affect Christians in that country.
Especially poignant throughout the book are the stories that Brian shares from his travels about how Christians are making a difference as they share their faith in very harsh and often unfavorable circumstances. In the final part of each chapter, Brian suggests how we as Christians can pray for Christians who live and testify in difficult circumstances.
Despite reading about the problematic situations of many Christians around the world, I found this book offers hope to all Christians, hope that despite awe-inspiring challenges, the message of Jesus Christ is spreading throughout the world, and our prayers can help. Bethany House gave me a complimentary copy of An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World by Brian C. Stiller for my candid review.
March 21, 2016
This book, An Insider's Guide to Praying for the World, is a wonderful resource for those who pray for others. I found this was informative, although I would have liked to have more information on each country mentioned.
Brian C. Stiller covers 52 prayer areas in 273 pages. Each country includes religious persecution, innovative work, mission and more. He does include his own knowledge as part of Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance throughout the book.
Included in each section are maps with the country's location, general information such as the population and religion statistics. Then there is a dispatch about the country, Bible reading and Items for Prayer. Then there is a prayer that can be prayed for the country
This is a good book for those that are beginning a global prayer ministry, but I felt like I wanted so much more.
I was given this book by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
Brian C. Stiller covers 52 prayer areas in 273 pages. Each country includes religious persecution, innovative work, mission and more. He does include his own knowledge as part of Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance throughout the book.
Included in each section are maps with the country's location, general information such as the population and religion statistics. Then there is a dispatch about the country, Bible reading and Items for Prayer. Then there is a prayer that can be prayed for the country
This is a good book for those that are beginning a global prayer ministry, but I felt like I wanted so much more.
I was given this book by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
February 17, 2016
I really enjoyed the format of this prayer guide. Each chapter started with a few statistics and some pertinent history about the country, followed by a story about the country--mostly stories of experiences the author had while visiting the country. Each chapter concludes with a scripture reading, bullet points for focused prayer, and a written-out prayer for the nation, group, or ministry covered in the chapter.
I appreciated that each chapter was in-depth enough to get a good picture about the country, but short enough that it could be read in one sitting. Great for a devotional time, especially if you feel drawn to pray for the world and/or to have a greater understanding of what God is doing worldwide.
I appreciated that each chapter was in-depth enough to get a good picture about the country, but short enough that it could be read in one sitting. Great for a devotional time, especially if you feel drawn to pray for the world and/or to have a greater understanding of what God is doing worldwide.
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