Toward an Understanding of Strategic Intercessory Prayer: Implications for Mission Advancement Dan Baetz, North West University, Greenwich School of Theology Presented at: Lausanne Researchers Conference Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

CONSIDERATIONS: Why bother? AS A PASTOR: CAN/WILL GOD CHANGE THIS CHURCH IN A RESISTANT PLACE? AS A MISSIONARY: CAN/WILL GOD PENETRATE THIS PROVINCE TO THE GOSPEL? AS A MISSION AGENCY LEADER: DO I COMMIT MISSIONARIES and RESOURCES TO THIS COUNTRY?

The Research Problem: (1) It would appear that conventional missiology and practice in conservative evangelical circles largely does not focus on or implement strategic intercessory prayer as the primary tool for gospel penetration.

The Research Problem: (2) Jesus seemed to model intercessory prayer before kingdom advancement.

The Research Problem: (3) Missions work has seemingly made significant advances- equally true during times of non-revival and revival – fueled by strategic intercessory prayer before and during missions’ activity

The Research Problem (4) Missions work without the guidance of intercessory prayer could seemingly mean being outside the sovereignty and blessing of God.

Dynamic Tensions That Inform the Research Question: (1) The dynamic tension between implementing good and necessary practices arising from the study of missiology compared to the phenomenological aspect of prayer.

Dynamic Tensions:(2) The dynamic tension between the western approaches to missiology compared to those from the ‘east/south’.

Dynamic Tensions (3) The dynamic tension that exists between approaches to strategic intercessory prayer.

RESEARCH QUESTION How can a practical model of strategic intercessory prayer be developed that is scripturally, theologically and missiologically sound in order to advance missions today?

Research Aim To determine if there is a model of intercessory prayer that is strategic and attainable for missions’ advancement today, through researching Scripture, church and missions history and gleaning from related scholarship, emerging movements and experienced practitioners

Insights from Basis Theoretical Material Great intercessors of the Scriptures Abraham Moses Isaiah Jesus The early church

Of particular note.. 1 John 3 1 John 5

Insights from Meta Theoretical Material The Moravians Revival Chinese / European /Korean Social Sciences Emerging National Sending Churches Church Planting Movements

How Does Intercession “Work”?

Research method: Delphi An iterative process to collect and distill the anonymous judgments of experts using a series of data collection techniques interspersed with feedback.

The Delphi… Works especially well when the goal is to improve our understanding of a problem, opportunity, solutions or to develop forecasts and to complete knowledge

Classical and Historical Delphi

Who Classifies as an Expert? Technical knowledge and expertise Capacity and willingness to participate Communication skills Sufficient Time

Categories of Experts Missionaries Mission Leaders Vocational Christian Leaders Intercessors

Method Design Questions / Choose Experts First Iteration 20 Interviews 20 Questionnaires Second Iteration 40 Questionnaires Third Iteration

Statistically speaking Descriptive Statistics Comparison Analysis Correlation Analysis

Leading to a model that is…. Biblically and theologically solid… Missiologically Sound Incorporating recent advances in missions understanding.

How does Intercession Work? Testing the Hypothesis God’s Sovereignty + God’s Timing + Our Participation = Mission Advancement?

How Does Intercession ‘Work’? The hypothesis God’s Sovereignty God’s Timing Our Participation God’s Sovereignty + God’s Timing + Our Participation = God’s Answer

Does The Answer Comes When…. God’s Sovereignty God’s Timing Our Participation God’s Will – 1 John 5 “Don’t even bother praying” (Isaiah 1:15) Spirit of Jesus did not allow Paul to go to Spain (Acts 16:7) God allowed Satan to block Paul (1 Thes. 2:18) “The Sins of the Amorites has NOT YET REACHED THEIR FULL MEASURE” (Gen.15:16) 400 YEARS “In the fullness of time God sent his Son” (Gal. 4:4) “If we have sin in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us” (Ps.66:18) If we abide in him, and he abides in us, we have what we ask of him” (John 15:7) “According to the power at work within us – above and beyond (Eph. 3:20) Confidence (1 John 5:14) Missiological Expertise

Complex adaptive systems God’s Sovereignty Our Participation God’s Timing God’s Answer

But How does All this Relate to Me? AS A PASTOR: Can God change this church? AS A MISSIONARY: CAN GOD PENETRATE THIS RESISTANT CULTURE? AS A MISSIONS LEADER: DO I COMMIT TO SENDING MISSIONARIES?

Wednesday @ 11.