In evangelism, we share or partner with God. We are “workers together with Him” (2 Corinthians 6:1; NKJV). We need to stop working for God and begin working with God.
The leadership of the Jerusalem church was devoted to prayer: “devote ourselves to prayer” (Acts 6:4). Our leadership is to be devoted to prayer also. To praying for lost souls…
We should pray for the lost. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1; NKJV) Supplication is a prayer in which we ask for help. We should take the names of those we love, who are without Christ, to our God and Father through the Holy Spirit!
We should pray for personal opportunities. “2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ…” (Colossians 4:2-3; NIV). A “door” is a metaphor for an opportunity for doing something (Strong’s). We should ask our God and Father to bring us those who are looking for Him!
We should pray for help to say what we ought to say. “4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Colossians 4:5-6; NKJV). Saying it wisely. Saying it soon. Saying it with grace. Making it as palatable as possible. We know we need help. We know God is there. We know God listens. We know God cares. We know God is able. We know God is willing. We should ask God to help us!
We should pray that the gospel would not be hindered by Satan. “Therefore we wanted to come to you, even I, Paul, time and again – but Satan hindered us” (1 Thessalonians 2:18; NKJV). “Hindered” means to cut into, to impede one’s course by cutting off his way” (Strong’s). Satan is our adversary, the one who opposes us in purpose and in action (Thayer’s). “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1; NKJV). We should pray that God would help us to overcome Satan and his devices!
We should pray for workers to be sent. “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to sent out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38; NKJV). “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2; NKJV).
We should pray for hearts that will go into the field to rescue the perishing!
We should thank God for the increase. “6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then, neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7; NKJV). “Increase” means to cause to grow (Strong’s). We should thank our God and Father for His willingness to save lost souls everywhere!
Hear the conclusion! We are “workers together with Him” (2 Corinthians 6:1; NKJV). How blessed we are to have such a powerful partner! “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” because of the One to whom the prayer is offered (James 5:16). Work with Him. Plant, water, and pray!
Jason Cicero
