Prayer andEvangelism

Prayer and Evangelism

“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.”

George Barna, Evangelism that Works

Prayer and Evangelism

“The most important human factor in effective evangelism is PRAYER.” - R.A. Torrey

“...Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons -- but they are helpless against our prayers.” – J. Sidlow Baxter

Prayer and

Evangelism• Prayer for evangelism is Biblical

– 1st Timothy 2:1-4– Romans 10:1-2– Colossians 4:3-4

• Prayer prepares the heart of the witness

- Eph. 6:18-19• Prayer prepares the heart of the

receiver - 2 Cor. 4:3-4

Prayer and Evangelism• Prayer for Christian Witnesses

–Pray that the Lord would send laborers into His harvest - Luke 10:1-2

–Pray that the Lord would send opportunities for you to witness

–Pray that the Lord would give you boldness to witness – Acts 1:8

–Pray that the Lord would give you clarity to present the gospel

The Spiritual Realm

• Acts 16:16-22 and 1 Peter 5:8-9 Devil is seeking to hinder us from

witnessing.

• 1 John 2:13-14We have victory over the Devil in Jesus

Christ.

• Philippians 4:13 We can do all things through Jesus.

Prayer and the Holy Spirit

• Effective witnessing depends on the role and work of the Holy Spirit.

• Prayer is the key to soul winning.• Prayer is petitioning God to work in

the lives of lost and the witness.• It is the avenue by which God’s power

flows. • E.M. Bounds wrote, “That prayer…

helps the mouth to utter the truth in its fullness and freedom”.

Prayer and the Holy Spirit

•The Holy Spirit uses those who are available. - Isa 6:8

•Romans 10:14-15 - Others cannot hear nor believe unless someone proclaims Jesus.

•Acts 1:8 - The Spirit will empower you to speak the gospel to others.

Casting the Net

The Spirit will impress upon you with whom to witness.

• Acts 8 - The Spirit led Phillip to go to the desert and witness.

• Jesus our Fish Finder: Luke 5:1-10 - Jesus will show you where to fish.

• Since He is the guide He is responsible for you catching the fish.

Prayer for the Lost

People apart from Jesus Christ are…

• LOST – Matthew 15:24; 18:11• BLIND – 2nd Corinthians 4:3-4• BOUND – 2nd Timothy 2:25-26; Ephesians 2:2• CONDEMNED – John 3:18; Ephesians 2:3• UNDER GOD’S WRATH – John 3:36• HELPLESS – John 6:44, 65; Ephesians 2:1• HOPELESS – Ephesians 2:12

Use the acrostic

HEARTS

Praying for the Lost

• Pray for receptive Hearts (Luke 8:5-15)• Pray for their spiritual Eyes & Ears

to be opened. (Matt. 13:15; 2 Cor. 4:3-4)• Pray for unbelievers to have & understand God’s Attitude toward sin. (John 16:8)

Have a HEART

•Pray for the lost to be Released from barriers and strongholds that hinder faith. (2 Tim. 2:25-26)

•Pray for unbelievers to experience a Transforming life in Christ. (Rom. 12:1-2)

•Pray for the Lord to Send believers to witness to lost persons. (Matt. 9:35-38)

Use the acrostic

HEARTS

Have A HEART

Remember•When Praying For Lost People,

Always…–Pray daily and diligently–Pray for them by name–Present them to the Father in Jesus’ name

–Pray for God’s kindness and mercy to be evident in their lives (Romans 2:4)

–Pray that God would remove any false sense of security they may be relying on.

Remember

• When praying for lost people, always…–Ask God to bring them a sense of conviction through the Holy Spirit

(John 16:8)–Ask God to exercise mercy and grace in their lives

Many Ways to Pray

• Ways to pray for lost people…– Heaven’s most wanted lists

– Prayer meeting

– Prayer chains

– Prayer groups

– Prayer rooms

– Prayer walking

Application

APPLICATION ACTIVITY: Look at the Operation Celebration tract you received. Take a few moments to think about lost people in your circle of influence. List their names in the spaces provided inside the tract. Pray for them using the principles you have just learned. Continue to pray for them daily until each one becomes a Christ Follower.

Prayer Walking

• What is Prayer Walking?– A Lifestyle of Unceasing Prayer– Walking While Praying– Intentional Prayer Toward the Great

Commission– Spiritual Warfare Prayer– Vision-Oriented Prayer

Prayer Walking Materials by Dr. Chris Schofield

Prayerwalking

• What is Prayerwalking’s Purpose?– Intimacy with God through Relationship

• Gen 3; John 15:16a; Matt 6:9-13

– Join God’s Redemptive Work • John 15:16b; Rom 10:1-2; 1 Tim 2:1-4; Luke

19:10

– Strategic Prayer• Mark 2;1-20; Acts 4:23-33

Divine Encounters

• Be prepared to Share Christ

• (Acts 8:26-40) Phillip and the Eunuch

• Gospel tracts

• Use the gospel plan in the back of the PWMS booklet

Preparing To Prayerwalk

• Personal preparation (pgs. 18-19)– Pray in repentance and faith– Pray for God’s Spirit to search your heart– Confess and forsake all known sin– Pray for sensitivity to God’s work– Pray for open doors to share Jesus– Pray for spiritual eyes to pray

strategically• Strategic/logistical preparation

Taking the Prayerwalk

• Cover the prayerwalk in focused prayer• Select date, time and location• Provide specific training for the prayerwalk• Map out strategic area• Meet together before the prayerwalk• Utilize field and support teams• Meet after the prayerwalk to Share Results• Close in specific prayer

Practical Tips• Keep your eyes open• Pray Biblical Prayers• Pray aloud as much as possible• Allow the Spirit to direct your

prayers• Pray conversationally• Walk slowly• Wear appropriate clothing• Take local church contact

information

Practical Tips

• Pray toward the removal of spiritual blinders—People’s needs are primary

• Try not to do things that draw attention to yourself

• Look for witnessing opportunities

• Avoid excessive picture taking

• Keep water bottles on hand

• Focus praying on God and people

Three Ways to Focus Your Prayers

• Pray according to what you KNOW– People, community, area

• Pray according to what you SEE

• Pray as the Holy Spirit INSPIRES

Final Considerations

• Use the Biblical prayer prompts in this booklet• Prayerwalk anytime you are walking• Prayerwalk as families• Prayerwalk your work area• Prayerwalk neighborhoods and stronghold

areas• Prayerwalk your school, college, university• Take a prayer journey in another community,

city, state or nation.

“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.” - Spurgeon

Preparing for Tomorrow

• Prayer

• Daily devotional time

• Physical rest

• Clothing– Christian tee-shirt, Christian hat– Jeans or pants – no shorts– Comfortable walking shoes

Preparing for Tomorrow

• Other essentials– Back pack or fanny pack– Bible – Bottled water– Sunscreen– Breath mints