Ridgell's Originals

 Lots of people think the key to evangelism is for a church to have to right program.  Others will tell you it is to have the right study/testimony materials.  Some think it will happen by osmosis.  Just go about the business of being a Christian and people will want to join you.  Others don't even think it matters.

I do think it matters.  Telling people about Jesus so they can spend forever with God is the mission of the church.  I do not think programs or materials are the magic answer.  And it does not happen by osmosis.

Frankly, most Christians are not even involved in evangelism.  But I think most of us would like to be.  

And here is where it starts.

Praying for someone.

There are lots of ways this can happen.  My son's church had a campaign centered around who is your one.  Identify the person you want to reach for Jesus.  Pray for them specifically by name.

I have a friend who regularly prays for God to bring someone into his life who does not know Jesus.

My wife and I pray every morning for our "not yet" friends.  People we want to tell about Jesus.  Not yet Christians.

Pick someone.  Or ask God to send someone.

The point is to be praying for God to put someone in your life that needs Jesus.  Or to work in the heart of someone you know who is not a Christian.

It is like Phillip and the Ethiopian.  The Holy Spirit connected a seeker with a believer.

Tell God you want to be like Phillip.  Ask him to put an Ethiopian in your life.

I pray for God to soften the heart of those I want to know Jesus.  I ask for opportunities to speak a word for Jesus.  I ask for open hearts to hear.

If you want to take it one step further... get others to pray for the ones you want to reach.  Have prayer times when you pray for each other's one.  Pray by name for those your Christian brothers and sisters are trying to reach.

Lots of churches have a time of prayer in their assemblies.  Go to the prayer teams and ask for prayers for those you are trying to reach.

But know this.

God will answer your prayers.

Be ready.

Nothing will be the same.

The Kingdom will increase.

Pray for the harvest.

And it starts with you and the one you are praying for.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM