1. 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

2. 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?

3. 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.

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

5. 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

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

7. 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.

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

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

10. 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?

11. 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

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

13. Of particular note..
1 John 3
1 John 5

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

15. How Does Intercession “Work”?

16. 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.

17. 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

18. Classical and Historical Delphi

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

20. Categories of Experts Missionaries Mission Leaders
Vocational Christian Leaders
Intercessors

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

22. Statistically speaking
Descriptive Statistics
Comparison Analysis
Correlation Analysis

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

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

25. 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

26. 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

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

28. 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?

29. 11.