Praying Your Friends to Christ

INTRODUCTION

I. PRAYER'S INFLUENCE ON EVANGELISM

II. WHY PRAY FOR THE LOST?

A. It is biblical

1. God's Word encourages us to pray for the lost
2. Jesus specifically commands us to pray for the lost
3. Paul modeled praying for the lost

B. The condition of the lost

1. Blind
2. Bound
3. Condemned
4. Hell-Bound
5. Helpless
6. Hopeless

III. PREPARING TO PRAY FOR THE LOST

A. Pray With Praise and Thanksgiving

B. Pray With a Cleansed Life

C. Pray According to the Promises of God

1. God desires to save people
2. Nothing is impossible with God

D. Pray With the Intent of Others Being Involved In the Harvest

1. Ask the Lord to send forth laborers into the harvest
2. Ask the Lord for opportunities to witness
3. Ask the Lord for boldness for the messenger
4. Ask the Lord for clarity in presenting the gospel
5. Ask the Lord to focus the hearts of His people

IV. HOW TO PRAY FOR A LOST PERSON

A. Receptive Heart

B. Spiritual Eyes and Ears Opened

C. God's Attitude Toward Sin

D. Released to Believe

E. Transforming Life

V. INVITATION TO CONSECRATION

VI. CONCLUSION

APPENDIX

1. Countdown for prayer evangelism
2. Key terms and names
3. Resources for prayer evangelism

Session 1 INTRODUCTION

 ^{(Transparency #1)} Celebrate Jesus 2000

^{(Transparency #2)} Praying Your Friends to Christ Praying Your Friends to Christ

Celebrate Jesus 2000 is a simple, concise strategy to pray for and share Christ with every lost person in the United States and Canada by the end of the year 2000. It is designed so that every individual in every countryside, village, town and city will be given an opportunity to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Celebrate Jesus 2000 calls on every believer and church to prepare and implement strategies of prayer, personal witnessing, proclamation and presentation as a means of reaching this goal.

If the goal of praying for and sharing Christ with everyone is to become a reality, it will require the mobilization of a great army of believers who will pray consistently and specifically for lost people.

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Praying for the lost is as easy as. . .

One: Strategy - To pray for and give a gospel witness to every dwelling place Strategy - To pray for and give a gospel witness to every dwelling place

Two: Request - Pray for every lost person=s salvation and pray for every believer to become a witness. Request - Pray for every lost person=s salvation and pray for every believer to become a witness.

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Three: Methods Methods

1. List Praying - could include praying for individuals found in a telephone directory, street directory, Prayer Triplet list, or a computer generated list. - could include praying for individuals found in a telephone directory, street directory, Prayer Triplet list, or a computer generated list.

2. Prayer Walking - is defined as "praying on-site with insight". It may be as simple as an individual walking down his block and praying for each neighbor as he passes each house or as complex as joining others to map out a whole city and systematically walking every street praying for the people in every dwelling place. It may also, in some settings, include driving. - is defined as "praying on-site with insight". It may be as simple as an individual walking down his block and praying for each neighbor as he passes each house or as complex as joining others to map out a whole city and systematically walking every street praying for the people in every dwelling place. It may also, in some settings, include driving.

3. Neighborhood Houses of Prayer - is a cluster of two or more believers meeting together on a regular basis to pray evangelistically for their neighbors. Houses of prayer may be located in homes, work places, schools, churches or other institutions. - is a cluster of two or more believers meeting together on a regular basis to pray evangelistically for their neighbors. Houses of prayer may be located in homes, work places, schools, churches or other institutions.

*For resources on each of these methods, see Appendix 3

Whether these methods or other methods are used, the primary focus is evangelistic praying, or as some refer to it "pre-evangelism praying." Evangelistic praying consist s of praying for the lost and praying for laborers to be involved in the harvest. The purpose of this manual is to equip believers to pray effectively for their lost friends and family. It is designed to be used by an instructor in a workshop or worship setting.

 PRAYER'S INFLUENCE ON EVANGELISM

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George Barna said, "A Church that strives to evangelize its community without saturating its efforts in prayer is like a race car driver that jumps into a car at the starting line and discovers that the tank has not been filled with gas."

Barna's analogy is accurate. The reason many of our evangelistic efforts seem to bear so little fruit is that we have failed to pray effectively for the lost.

Barna's analogy is accurate. The reason many of our evangelistic efforts seem to bear so little fruit is that we have failed to pray effectively for the lost.

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In her book, "A Time to Pray God's Way",

In her book, "A Time to Pray God's Way", Evelyn Christenson says, "We have failed to sufficiently involve God - through prayer - in our soul-winning efforts. In pre-evangelism praying, we ask the omnipotent God of the universe to reach down and work in people's lives before we do. And what a difference such praying makes!

If we are going to make an evangelistic impact on our community, we need to learn how to talk to God about people before we talk to people about God. When we do this, we depend on our sovereign Lord to work in, through, and with us as we evangelize the lost.

Today, much attention has been given to the development of new methods for reaching the lost. This is important if churches are to effectively share Christ with the lost. However, unless believers and churches begin to effectively pray for lost people before, during, and after they evangelize, little fruit will be produced from their many labors. Therefore, concentrated prayer for the lost must be a part of our strategy.

NOTE TO THE INSTRUCTOR

Ask the participants to tell about people who they have prayed for to be saved. What victories can they share.

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Session one summary

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Seven secrets for successful prayer is a reminder for both the instructor and the group as they begin to pray.

Session II. WHY PRAY FOR THE LOST

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A. It Is biblical

Charles H. Spurgeon put prayer's role in evangelism in proper perspective: "Remember that prayer is effectual with God . . . Are we not getting weary of living in this world among so many who are going to hell? Is it not terrible to think that after all the church is doing, thousands are being lost every day? We ought to bestir ourselves for men's souls, and we cannot do better for them than by praying for them. Let us, therefore, bestir ourselves in prayer."

What Spurgeon said is true because the Bible mandates prayer for the lost. Consider the following passages.

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1. God's word urges us to pray for the lost.

I Timothy 2:1-4, "I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.@

What Spurgeon said is true because the Bible mandates prayer for the lost. Consider the following passages.

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1. God's word urges us to pray for the lost.

I Timothy 2:1-4, "I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.@, "I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.@

The passage points to the priority of prayer for the lost when it says "first of all." It also demonstrates that God desires believers to be involved in praying for all men to be saved and Acome unto the knowledge of the truth." Salvation is always God’s will!

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2. Jesus specifically commands us to pray for the lost..

Jesus said, "Pray this way."

Matthew 6:10, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.", "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

Luke 11:2, "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.", "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth."

"These parallel verses speak directly to God's call to intercede for the lost. In the midst of Christ's command to pray "in this way" we are told to pray for both His present and future reign in people's lives (i.e., "Thy Kingdom Come"). This is to pray for Christ to invade their lives through conversion. It is a command to pray for the salvation of their souls." Chris Schofield

 Evangelist Sammy Tiippet commented, "When one prays for the will of God and the kingdom of God, he is in essence praying for the same thing. He is praying for Jesus to rule in the hearts of men and women."

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3. Paul modeled praying for the lost.

(Romans 10:1), "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."

In this verse it is evident that Paul's desire for the lost to be saved was coupled with prayer for the same. Further evidence that Paul's heartfelt desire was for the lost to be saved can also be seen in Romans 9:1-3: "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh."

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B. The Condition of The Lost

 We need to pray for the lost because of their spiritual condition. The Bible has much to say concerning the spiritual condition of the lost. Listed below are a number of the traits of someone that is lost.

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1. Blind

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (II Corinthians 4:3-4,)

"There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." (Romans 3:11,)

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14)

The Gospel is hidden from them, they are without understanding, they do not comprehend spiritual things.

2. Bound

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (II Timothy 2:25-26)

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:2)

Those that are lost are held in bondage by Satan. He seeks with all his might to keep them in his grasp, that they might live and die in disobedience to God. In essence, the lost are incarcerated by Satan in his Adomain of darkness@ (Col. 1:13).

3. Condemned

"He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)

"Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." (Ephesians 2:3)

4. Hell-Bound

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."(John 3:36)

"But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:22)

"Enter ye into the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." (Matthew 7:13)

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.(Revelation 20:15)

The Bible clearly teaches that the eternal destiny of the lost will be eternal punishment in hell and damnation. This is a sobering thought considering the millions in North America without Christ.

 5. Helpless5. Helpless

"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44,emphasis added).

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1)

The lost are helpless to change the course of their eternal destiny. Without the work of God's Spirit and the witness of His Word they will remain lost. Believers need to join God's redemptive work through prayer and evangelistic witness for this to be different. As God=s people pray for the lost, His Spirit draws them to understand their need for repentance and faith.

6. Hopeless

"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." (Ephesians 2:12)

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^{Session two summary}

Session III. PREPARE TO PRAY FOR THE LOST

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A. Pray with Praise And Thanksgiving

"^{Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name." (Psalm 100:4)}

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." (I Timothy 2:1) ^{(I Timothy 2:1)}

Think about some things for which you might be thankful.

1. Thank God for your own salvation. In most cases, someone prayed for you. "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. . ." (II Corinthians 5:18a)

2. Thank God for His redemptive work.

"And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (I John 2:2) (I John 2:2)

3. Thank God for allowing you to join him in his redemptive work.

"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." ( II Corinthians 5:18)

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B. Pray with a Cleansed Life

Our prayers will be ineffective if we pray with unconfessed sin in our lives.

James 5:16, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

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In Psalm 66:18 the Psalmist said, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."

The Prayer-life can not be separated from the pray-er's life. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayer for the lost.

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C. Pray According To the Promises of God

1. God desires to save people:

"God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of truth."( I Timothy 2:4)

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,but that all should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9)

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We can have confidence in our prayers for the lost because they are according to the will of God.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us; And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."( I John 5:14-15) I John 5:14-15)

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Not only does the Word of God command us to pray for the lost but the will of God demands it.

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2. Nothing Is Impossible for God:

Sometimes we are tempted to believe that some people will never respond

and we fail to prevail in our praying. We have been given a promise from

God to pray back to him when these times come. The words are in Mark 10:27.

The rich young ruler had rejected Christ in exchange for his wealth. Jesus then makes the statement that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved. His disciples asked "who then can be saved?" That is when Jesus gives the promise"... all things are possible with God." You are to prevail in your praying for the lost realizing that no one is beyond the reach of God.

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D. Pray With the Intent of Others Being Involved in the Harvest

Evangelistic Praying not only involves praying for the lost, but it involves praying for the laborers. Matthew records that when Jesus saw a vast crowd in need of the Gospel He was moved with compassion and He commanded

His disciples to "ask of the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." There is a definite connection between our praying and His sending.

When we make application of this text to the individual(s) we are praying for, we can pray to the Lord of the harvest that He would place someone into the lost person's path to share the Gospel, to water spiritual seed already sown or help to bring in the harvest.

 The scripture gives some specific prayers to pray for laborers:

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1. Ask the Lord to send laborers into the harvest.

"Therefore said he unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." (Luke 10:2) (Luke 10:2)

2. Ask the Lord for opportunities to witness.

"Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ., for which I am also in bonds." (Colossians 4:3) (Colossians 4:3)

3. Ask the Lord for boldness for the messenger.

"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;

For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:19-20) (Ephesians 6:19-20)

"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings; and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word." (Acts 4:29) (Acts 4:29)

 4. Ask the Lord for clarity in presenting the gospel.

"That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." (Colossians 4:4) (Colossians 4:4)

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5. Ask the Lord to focus the hearts of his people, "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." (Acts 13:1-3)

6. Ask God to grant you the courage to be willing to be the answer to your prayer.

Jesus instructed the disciples to pray for laborers in Matthew 9:38. In the same context Matthew 10:1, the disciples are called and sent out as an answer to the prayer.

Set aside times of praying and fasting for the lost.

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Session three summary

 IV. HOW TO PRAY FOR A LOST PERSON

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As you seek to pray your friend to Christ, keep focused on the fact that our friends need new HEARTS (Ezekiel 36:26; Matt. 15:15-20). The acrostic HEARTS will help you remember what to pray.

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A. Receptive Hearts

In the parable of the sower (Luke 8:5, 12), the seed that fell beside the road

and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the air ate it up. When Jesus explained it He said the seed is the word of God and the seed that fell beside the road represents those who heard the Word. The devil then takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved. We need to pray that God would prepare the heart so that the seed would take root.

 B. Spiritual Eyes and Ears Opened.

The lost person is blinded by Satan.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."( II Corinthians 4:3-4) Only God can open their eyes.

The individual must hear God speak.

"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted and I should heal them." (Matthew 13:15)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that god hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

(Romans 10:14)

C. God’s Attitude Toward Sin

This will require that they admit they are sinners who face judgment and are in need of the righteousness of Jesus. The Christian, on the other hand, with God’s attitude toward sin, with be proactive. The role of the Holy Spirit is to convince of sin. :

"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." (John 16:8) (John 16:8)

D. Released to Believe

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (II Timothy 2:25-26)

God would grant repentance, then the lost individual will come to their senses and escape the trap.

Includes the destruction of barriers and strongholds in the individual's life.

 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." (II Corinthians 10:3-4)

Praying specifically for a lost individual is warfare. Satan will go to any extent to keep a person lost and in his kingdom. We are involved in praying for and sharing with individuals who need to be rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His dear son . . .

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."(Colossians 1:13)

In this spiritual warfare we do not fight with weapons of flesh, but with mighty weapons of God. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms."

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)

 E. Pray for a Transforming Life

AI beseech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2) (Romans 12:1-2)

Examples: False religion, pride, a sinful habit

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INVITATION TO CONSECRATION

Every Christian is faced with the question of how to incorporate this into their life. One of the most overlooked aspects of prayer is the element of consecration. There is a consistency in the Old and New Testaments, of individuals who renew their devotion to God. Every time Abraham, David, and Paul would renew their devotion to God, it would be in a specific area of obedience. Following the first persecution in the book of Acts, the early church offered a specific prayer of consecration to share the gospel boldly.

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Session four summary

V. CONCLUSION

Dwight L. Moody was correct when he said, "Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin-cursed earth have been men and women of prayer. You will find that PRAYER has been the mighty power that has moved not only God, but man."

Do not stop praying and do not stop at just praying. Evangelism without prayer is ineffective and prayer that does not lead a person to deeper compassion for and actions to reach the lost is flawed. Be willing to be the answer to your prayer or the evangelistic prayer of others. Be obedient and boldly share the gospel.

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"That God would place such an incomparable privilege and such responsibility in our hands is past understanding --- but He has done just that. Through intercession we can become the instrument of salvation to men and women we never see face to face in this life." Ron Dunn

Stephen Hawthorne has said, "Imagine what could be possible in a prayed for world." We should take that a bit further. Imagine what could happen in a prayed for and shared with world.

Shall WE Pray and Evangelize?

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APPENDIX 1

COUNTDOWN FOR PRAYER EVANGELISM

A church that is interested in implementing a prayer evangelism strategy will want to consider the following:

1. Teach the congregation, in one or more sessions, how to pray for the lost, using the Praying Your Friends To Christ material. The experience, supported by individual reading, preaching and testimonies, will move the congregation to make a commitment to prayer evangelism.

2. Make books or other resources on prayer evangelism available to the congregation.

3. Ask God to identify a specific geographical area to penetrate with the gospel.

4. Prayerfully select one or more ways to physically pray for every individual living or working within that geographic area. (The North American Mission Board has suggested three: List Praying, Prayer Walking and Driving or Neighborhood Houses of Prayer.)

5. Assign an individual or groups of individuals to enlist participation, to monitor the progress, and to report to the church. The CJ 2000 Church Preparation Manual will provide ideas about launching the church's commitment in January 1999.

6. Implement a plan to pray evangelistically for every event, program, etc. that targets lost people.

7. Provide a daily prayer guide that helps create a habit of prayer among the congregation.

APPENDIX 2 KEY TERMS AND NAMES

Celebrate Jesus 2000

The culmination of Bold Mission Thrust. It is a national strategy to pray for and to share the gospel with every person in the United States and Canada by the end of 2000 AD.

Evangelistic Praying

The deepest sense of intercessory prayer. It is the regular prayer for the salvation of lost people. As such, it recognizes that God has provided for the salvation of all people.

List Praying

One method for guiding Christians involved in evangelistic praying. It consists of identifying individuals who have not received Jesus Christ as Savior, writing their names on a prayer list, and routinely praying for their salvation.

Mapping Center for Evangelism

An organization developed to help churches and other Christian ministries pray for and share the gospel with every individual in the United States and Canada. The MCE provides a residential database, mapping tools, and other programs to assist with an area-wide saturation of the gospel.

Neighborhood Houses of Prayer

One method for guiding Christians involved in evangelistic praying. It consists of organizing two or more Christians who will meet together to pray evangelistically for the lost who are living, working, or playing within a specific sphere of influence. NHP can be located in a home, a work place, a school, a church, or any other location.

Prayer Evangelism

This is an evangelism strategy that interfaces prayer with the process of evangelism . It recognizes the power, the sovereignty, and the solution of God as well as the stewardship of individual Christians in the salvation of the lost.

^{Prayer Triplet Brochure}

^{One method for linking Christians who are praying evangelistically. It takes into consideration the need for accountability, encouragement, and power in collective prayer for the salvation of the lost.}

One method for linking Christians who are praying evangelistically. It takes into consideration the need for accountability, encouragement, and power in collective prayer for the salvation of the lost.

Prayer Journeys/ Prayerwalking

One method for guiding Christians involved in evangelistic praying. Whether it includes walking or driving through a specific community or area, the sole purpose is to pray evangelistically for people and places.

Praying Your Friends to Christ

The prayer evangelism strategy developed by the North American Mission Board for Celebrate Jesus 2000.

The Lost

The Bible says that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). As a result of sin, all individuals have turned to their own way, choosing to ignore the way of God (Isa. 53:6). As a consequence, individuals in their sin are separated from God and lost to His way. Also, the lost are people who have never trusted Christ as Savior and Lord. Consequently they are bound for a Christless eternity in hell and damnation (Matt. 25:46). The only way for the lost to have any hope is through Jesus Christ. The Bible quotes Jesus this way, AI am the way, and the truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me. (Jn 14:6).

APPENDIX 3

RESOURCES FOR PRAYER EVANGELISM

 List Praying:

Praying Your Friends To Christ (Team Prayer List and Training Manual)

Mapping Center for Evangelism

• 8615 Rosehill Road
• Lenexa, KS 62216
• 913/438-7301
• 913/438-7303 Fax

Prayer Journeys/ Prayerwalking:

Prayerwalking: Praying on Site With Insight, by Stephen Hawthorne and Graham Kendrick (Creation House, Lake Mary, FL, 1993)

Prayerwalking: A New Approach to Spiritual Warfare, by Graham Kendrick and John Houghton (Kingsway Publication, Eastbourne, UK, 1990)

Houses of Prayer:Houses of Prayer Everywhere

• Mission 21 H.O.P.E.
• Grand Rapids, MI 49514
• 1-800-217-5200
• E-Mail: Hope@Missionindia.org

NAMB Resources for:

Prayer Evangelism Unit

Lighthouses of Prayer

Praying Your Friends To Christ, Team Prayer List

Praying Your Friends To Christ, Instructor's Guide and Cell Masters

Praying Your Friends To Christ - Power Point Presentation (May be obtained through the Lifeway Customer Services )

On Mission to Share Jesus, (OMTSJ) Formerly Soul Winning Commitment Day Church packet (770) 410-6000, Ask for Jack Smith.  (May be obtained through the Customer Service Department of the Baptist Sunday School Board)

Spirit of Revival and Awakening Journal   (770)410-6000, Ask for Jim Redford

 Other Resources:

A Time To Pray God's Way, by Evelyn Christenson (women) Harvest House Publishers, 1996

A Study Guide for Evangelism Praying, by Evelyn Christenson Modern Press, New Brighton, Minnesota, 1992

Bold Mission Prayer Thrust: Church Planning Guide Interagency Council of the Southern Baptist Convention, Publisher Bold Mission Thrust, Executive Committe, 901 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN 37203

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, by Jim Cymbala, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House,1997

Local Associations And United Prayer, by Dr. Greg Frizzell Riverside Printing: Memphis, TN, 1996

Pole 2 Locker: Leader's Guide, PowerSource Devotional & Interactive Sessions (Youth) Reach Out Ministries, Publisher

Prayer Target (Youth) Baptist General Convention of Texas  333 N. Washington, Dallas, TX 75246-1798, 214/828-5121 1/888/269-3826

Praying For You, by Howard A. Tryon, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1996.

Praying the Heart of God, by Ted Elmore

Evangelism Division 
Baptist General Convention of Texas    
333 N. Washington
Dallas, TX 75246-1798

Why Pray Evangelistically?
The Bible teaches that prayer is vital to the Great Commission (see John 17). The Bible also teaches that lost people are blinded by Satan and do not understand God’s love and purpose for their lives (see 2 Cor. 4:4). As a result, lost people are helpless to change the course of their eternal destiny apart from Christ and His Spirit working in their lives (see John 6:44). Christians should therefore pray evangelistically because the Bible mandates prayer’s essential role in reaching people with the good news of Christ. Notice the following biblical examples:

• Jesus commands His followers to pray for the reign of Christ in people’s lives
  (see Matt. 6:9-10).
• Paul models a life of evangelistic prayer (see Rom. 10:1-2).
• God’s Word urges believers to pray for all people (see 1 Tim. 2:1-4).
• The psalmist bears witness to the effect of passionate prayer for the harvest
  (see Ps. 126:4-6).
• Jesus teaches Christians to pray for witnesses to be raised up and sent out to
  gather the harvest
  (see Matt. 9:35-38).

Use this brochure to train others how to pray evangelistically. It can also be used in conjunction with the Praying Your Friends to Christ training manual. Visit Prayer Evangelism to customize and download a free copy of the Praying Your Friends to Christ training manual.

”By prayer, the bitterest enemies of the gospel
have become its most valiant defenders”
R.A. Torrey, How to Pray (Springdale: Whitaker House, 1983, 19-20)

How to Pray Evangelistically
Praying For Lost People:

Pray for unbelievers’ HEARTS to be changed:

Praying For Christian Witnesses:

• Pray for witnesses to share their faith boldly and with confidence
  (see Acts 4:29-31)
• Pray for witnesses to have open doors to share their faith
  (see Col. 4:2-6)
• Pray for witnesses to live the faith they are sharing
  (see Acts 10:38)
• Pray for witnesses to be protected from the evil one
  (see John 17:15)

“Brethren, my heart’s desire
and my prayer to God for them
is for their salvation”
(Rom. 10:1, NASB).

Praying For Personal Spiritual Preparation to Witness:

• Pray for a cleansed life and a pure heart to witness
  (see Ps. 51:10-13)
• Pray for a personal passion for Jesus and His mission
  (see Luke 19:10)
• Pray for an unwavering faith to believe the Lord for a harvest
  (see Jas. 1:5)
• Pray for spiritual wisdom during witnessing encounters
  (see Col. 1:9-11)

Praying For Outreach and Mission Efforts:

• Pray for believers to answer Christ’s call in the Great Commission
  (see Ps. 2:8)
• Pray for congregations to send out witnesses into the harvest fields
  (see Acts 13:1-3)
• Pray for the good news to spread through evangelism and mission efforts
  (see 2 Thess. 3:1)
• Pray for intercessors to be raised up and strive together in prayer for others that are on mission
  (see Rom. 15:30)

“First of all, then,
I urge that entreaties and prayers,
petitions and thanksgivings,
be made on behalf of all men”
(1 Tim. 2:1, NASB).

Four Ways to Pray Evangelistically

• List praying—Make a list of people to pray for. Specific prayer on behalf of others results in specific nswers to prayer
  (see 1 Thess. 3:10-11; 2 Thess. 1:3).
• Prayerwalking—Journey through your world and pray for others as you walk, run, bicycle, or drive. As you prayerwalk, you will be able to pray according to what you observe, know, and are inspired to pray for
  (see 1 Tim. 2:1-4). (For more information see Taking Prayer to the Streets at Prayer Evangelism.)
• Prayer visitation—Visit homes, hospitals, and so forth to ask for prayer requests. This approach allows open doors for believers to care and share Christ with others. As we pray for people and their needs, God builds relationships and opens hearts to the good news of Jesus
  (see Jas. 5:13-18).
• Prayer Groups—Unite with other believers in focused prayer. There is power in united prayer toward the Great Commission
  (see Acts 4:31).