Intercessory

Prayer Guide

for Mies.

By My. Garry Castner

2Thess. 3:1, "Finally,
brethren, pray for us,
that the word of the
Lord may have free
course, and be
glorified, even as it is
with you:"

1Thess. 5:25, "Brethren, pray for us."

  1. The Need for Intercession

    1. As a My., Paul Requested
      Prayer of the Churches:
      a. Rom. 15:30, "Now I beseech you,
      brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake,
      and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive
      together with me in your prayers to God
      for me;"
      b. Eph. 6:18-19, "Praying always with all
      prayer and supplication in the Spirit, ... And
      for me, that utterance may be given unto
      me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to
      make known the mystery of the gospel."
      c. 1Thess. 5:25, "Brethren, pray for us."
      d. 2Thess. 3:1, "Finally, brethren, pray for
      us, that the word of the Lord may have
      free course, and be glorified, even as it is
      with you:"
      e. Heb. 13:18, "Pray for us: for we trust we
      have a good conscience, in all things
      willing to live honestly."

    2. Mies. are Involved in Spiritual
      Warfare       (Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Cor. 10:3-4)
      a. Servants of Christ come under the attack
      of "devils" or "demons".
      b. Lk. 22:31, "And the Lord said, Simon,
      Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have
      you, that he may sift you as wheat"      .
      c. I Pet. 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because
      your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
      walketh about, seeking whom he may
      devour"      .
      d. Mies. come under the Attack of
      Spells, Curses, and Incantations.

      e. Ignorance of Satan's Devices does not
      bring protection.
      f. Many satanists, witches, shamans, and
      spiritists have entered into a covenant to
      pray to Satan to break down the marriages
      and families of spiritual leaders.

    1. Mies. are Subject to Great
      Temptations
      a. The higher the profile of a leader, the
      higher he goes on the satan's list for
      special attack and focus.
      b. They are tempted with greed, power, and
      pride. (I Tim. 6:9-11)
      c. Immorality is a strong lure for leaders. (I
      Tim. 5:22)

    2. Mies. have a Greater
      Accountability       (Jam. 3:1)
      a. They will have a greater judgment (I Cor.
      4:1-4; Heb. 13:17)
      b. It is a serious offense to violate the office
      of leadership.
      c. They train the majority of national
      pastors around the world (Eph. 4:11-13)

  1. Specific Areas of Intercession

    1. The My.'s Spiritual Life
      a. Daily Communion with God (Jn. 15:1-16)
      1) Fruitfulness depends on it.
      2) Family depends on it.
      3) Ministry depends on it.
      b. Brokenness (Psa. 51:17)
      1) Submission to Authority
      2) Complete dependence on the Lord

      3) Humility in Relationships with Workers
          and Family
      c. Anointing of God (Acts 1:8; 4:31; 16:6-
      10)
      1) The Spirit's Direction
      2) The Spirit's Power
      d. Burden and Love for Souls (Rom. 9:1-3;
      10:1)
      1) Love of Christ
      2) Compassion
      3) Sensitive to Needs
      e. Clear Objectives (Lk. 19:10; Matt. 28:18-
      20)
      1) Spiritual Illumination
      2) Ability to Avoid Interruptions

    1. The My.'s Physical Life
      a. Physical Health
      1) Exposed to many diseases
      2) Inadequate health care
      3) Tropics and heat cause fatigue
      4) Can shorten my. career
      b. Physical Protection
      1) Road accidents prevalent in 3rd world
          countries
      2) Mies. are normally found at
          fault and jailed
      3) Extensive travels in ministry
      c. Emotional Stability
      1) Culture shock is real
      2) Loneliness or Isolation from friends and
          family
      3) Treated as Alien 24 hrs. a day
      4) Anxiety over the work and problems
      5) Discouragement over lack of fruit

    1. The My.'s Cultural Life
      a. Culture Shock
      1) Unable to adapt to food, customs, nor
          language
      2) 25% of mies. don't adapt and
          come home
      3) Both humility and respect are needed to
          adapt
      b. Language Learning
      1) Often referred to as 2nd test of your
          calling
      2) Can be a great source of discouragement
      3) Needs ability to hear, discern,
          pronounce, read and write
      4) Requires a great deal of discipline and
          concentration
      5) Humility is needed as he returns to a
          childlike stage
      c. Family
      1) Wife's ability to adjust and learn
      2) Children's ability to adjust and learn
      3) Many separations and interruptions in
          family life
      4) Temptation for resentment and rebellion

    2. The My.'s Financial Life
      a. Needs to be Met
      1) Mies. cannot take on a 2nd job or
          start a business
      2) The dollar often devaluates between
          furloughs
      3) Rate of inflation between furloughs
      4) Loss of support
      5) Children's health and educational needs
      a. The Cost of Living
      1) Very high in many countries
      2) Mies. are considered rich by
          nationals
      3) Susceptible to robbery and being cheated

      4) Most goods are imported and costly
      5) Vehicle costs normally double: price, fuel
          and repairs.
      6) Ministry travels are expensive
      7) Visitors and Hospitality
      c. Equipment and Literature
      1) Computers and Office supplies
      2) Printing equipment and ministry
      3) Tracts and Bibles
      4) Shipping and Customs
      5) Correspondence Courses and Mailing

    1. The My.'s Furlough Life
      a. Rest, Revival, and Refreshment (Acts
      14:26-28)
      1) Received and welcomed by home church
      2) Housing Needed
      3) Fellowship and encouragement
      4) Ministry opportunities - share burdens
          and blessings
      5) Wife and children ministered to
      6) Many health needs to be met
      b. Reverse Culture Shock
      1) Very real and needs to be dealt with
      2) Adapt to the rat race of American life
      3) Develop quality friendships
      c. Deputation Travels
      1) Display and DVD
      2) Vehicle and possible RV
      3) Scheduling Appointments
      4) Message Preparation and Delivery
      5) Apathy and Worldliness in some
          churches
      6) Lack of Interest to the Great Commission

My. Garry A. Castner
Lehigh Valley Baptist Church
gcastner@lvbaptist.org
https://castner.lvbaptist.org

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