| Personal
evangelism is a spiritual work and nothing lasting happens without prayer.
As I wrote in our article on "What Is Prayer?"
I said prayer is humbling ourselves before God and acknowledging our utter
dependence on Him for all our needs. It isn't simply "thinking good
thoughts." During prayer we fellowship with Him and receive encouragement
and direction for our lives. We bring the needs of others to Him and receive
from Him the things they need. Prayer, in and of itself, has no power!
It is God who is all powerful and who responds to our prayers.
The
prayers you pray for non-Christian people you know need to be more than
just 'Dear God, please save so and so, amen.' We need to be specific when
we bring their needs before the Lord. Just as your presentation of the
Gospel message should be personalized to address the felt needs of the
person you are talking to, your prayers should also focus on that individual's
felt needs (which means you must LISTEN to what the other person
is telling you and care enough to remember what they said). Before leaving
the person, ask if it would be all right for you to pray for them in the
areas they mentioned to you.
For
example, in the course of conversation with a nonbeliever, they may mention
a problem they have with raising their children. Make a mental note of
that problem, and the next time you pray, ask God to help them in raising
their children. Or, if they mention having financial difficulties, ask
God to help them with their financial situation.
The
next time you see the person, make it a note to specifically ask how they
are doing in that particular area. Let them know you have been praying
for them about that need. If things still aren't going well, tell them
you will continue praying for them about it.
One
of the most loving things a Christian can do for a non-Christian is to
care enough about them to bring their needs, whatever they may be, to our
loving heavenly Father who loves them every bit as much as He loves you
and me! You may see real miracles take place in the lives of the people
you are praying for. God wants to show Himself real and powerful to people
and help them believe.
Are
you praying regularly for specific needs non-Christians you know have? |
