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Prayer Start each day Committed, Available and Depending on God
Evangelism Prayer Bookmark
Colossians 4:2-6 gives us good Biblical guidelines to start each day prepared to witness: Devote yourselves to PRAYER, being WATCHFUL and THANKFUL. And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ for which I am in chains. Pray that I may PROCLAIM it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always FULL OF GRACE seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV)
A Biblical Pattern for Daily Evangelism PRAYER When it comes to evangelism, we often pray for those we want to share with. However, prayer needs to prepare our hearts for witnessing placing us in position to be used by God. Pray for a love for the lost. Pray for the willingness to share. Pray to see the opportunities God brings our way. Pray for an obedient heart to share when the opportunities arise. WATCHFUL Then be watching throughout the day for opportunities. Seek to 'see' and recognize how God may be working in those around you. Allow the Holy Spirit to make you sensitive to and alert to opportunities. This develops with time and experience. It is very important that you're willing to respond to opportunities; if you're not, God won't waste time bringing them your way. You'll likely pick up on it in conversations. Ask questions... draw them out. Be willing to listen graciously and with compassion. As appropriate, share how God has helped you or made a difference in your life that relates to what they are struggling. It may be job related, relationships, purpose in life, parenting, difficult decisions, etc. These stories of God's influence in your life will often open the way to explaining the Gospel with others. THANKFUL The best way to combat discouragement is by being thankful. God says to, "Remember what the Lord has done." Remembering what He has done encourages you and builds your faith for what He can do. Take time to be thankful for your salvation... for a relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit... for how the Lord has helped you, protected you, comforted you, guided you and provided for you. Be very thankful for the opportunity to serve Him and be and ambassador of His to point others to Jesus. PROCLAIM THE MESSAGE CLEARLY Study to learn how to explain the Gospel clearly. BE PREPARED. Like most things, practice will make you better. Don't be lazy and apathetic. when it comes to explaining the Gospel in such a way that those you share with will be able to make and informed decision. Equally important is to learn to trust the Holy Spiritto use what you share with others. There's no such thing as sharing it perfectly so don't let the devil beat you up thinking you did it poorly. Just do your best to be able to explain the Gospel clearly. We need to depend on God giving us wisdom and discernment. And trust in the Holy Spirit's power to make spiritual truth understandable to those we speak. You'll be surprised at how the Holy Spirit will use what we share when we are cooperating with Him. FULL OF GRACE People can tell if you truly care about them. Be gracious and practice kindness when you share. Let the love of Jesus flow through you to them. Show respect and be pleasant towards them. Practice explaining the Gospel in front of a mirror and ask yourself if you would want to listen to 'the person in the mirror'. To introduce and offer Eternal Life (JESUS) to others, let Eternal Life (JESUS) live through you. (John 17:3)
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