Prayer and
Evangelism
Evangelism 2015
We need to pray!
• James 5:16, 1 Thess. 5:17
• 1 Samuel 12:23, “Moreover, as for
me, far be it from me that I should sin
against the LORD in ceasing to pray for
you; but I will teach you the good and the
right way.”
• This includes reaching the lost –
Colossians 4:2-4, Luke 10:2
Furtherance of His Kingdom
P • Matthew 6:5, “Your kingdom
r
come” Note: His kingdom HAS
a
come (Col. 1:13), but can we
y
pray for the furtherance of His
kingdom? (Col. 1:23)
f • 2 Thess. 3:1-2 – that the word
of
God
may
run
swiftly
o
•
Such
prayers
remind
us
of
our
r
need to seek the lost
Our forgiveness as needed
P • We must be right with God to be
r
effective at reaching others a
Rom. 12:1-2, 1 Pet. 1:15-16,
y
3:12, 1 John 3:21-22
• Take care of your sins Acts
8:22, 1 John 1:8
f
•
James
5:16,
the
prayer
of
the
o
righteous
avails
much
r
Opportunities
P • Use us according to His will –
r
Phil. 2:12-13, let Him work
a
in us.
y
NOTE: This reminds us to work
• Develop our talents Matt.
f
25:14-30
o • Open doors Col. 4:2-4
r • John 4:35 open our eyes
wisdom
P
r
a
y
f
o
r
• Prov. 11:30, He who wins
souls is wise
• James 1:4-5
• Colossians 4:4-6, that I
may make manifest as I
ought to speak.
• Colossians 1:9-10
To be a proper example
P • Matthew 5:13-16, Phil.
r
2:14-16
a
• 1 Cor. 9:19-23, all things
y
to all men!
•
An
application
of
praying
for
f
wisdom!
o
r
Courage and boldness
P • Don’t be ashamed of the gospel
r
Rom. 1:16, Matt. 10:32-33
a • 1 Corinthians 2:3
y • Ephesians 6:18-20
• Acts 4:29-31, 5:41-42
f • One of our greatest challenges
o
in reaching the lost
r
Proper Attitudes toward the Lost
P • Colossians 4:5-6
r • Wisdom is not just what we
a
say, but our judgments, etc.
y • Be careful not to prejudge
who is worthy of teaching!
f • Are we convicted to try and
reach the lost?
o
2 Corinthians 5:11
r
Fellow Workers in Evangelism
P • Pray for those teaching and
r
preaching here and abroad!
a
• Luke 10:2
y
Matthew 9:36-38
•
1
Corinthians
3:5-9,
Paul
f
planted
and
Apollos
watered,
o
God
gave
the
increase
r
Fellow Workers in Evangelism
P • Do we pray for the preachers
r
we are supporting?
a • Gailen Evans, Santa Paula, CA
y • Tommy Thornhill, Sr. – Ozark, AR
• Joshua Thornhill – Wildersville, TN
f • Jack Critchfield – New Madrid, MO
o • James Hamilton – Benton, AR
r • Bob Dodson – Hemet, CA
Fellow Workers in Evangelism
P • Do we pray for the preachers
r
we are supporting?
a • Dennis Scroggins – Bend, TX
y • Joe Price, – Bellingham, WA
• Steven Saunders – Macon, MO
f • Danny Gardner– Springdale, AR
o • Brian Yeager – El Paso, TX
r • Richard Soto – Texas & Mexico
Fellow Workers in Evangelism
P • Do we pray for the preachers
r
we are supporting?
a • Brian Haines – Hillsboro, OR
y • Don Brady – Hodgenville, KY
• Brandon Hathaway – Bruceton, TN
f • Daniel Duvall – Waipahu, HI
o • Local support
r
Favorable political conditions
P • The condition we are in does
not excuse us – EVER!
r
•
But
we
are
to
pray
for
the
best
a
of circumstances
y • 1 Timothy 2:1-3, a quiet and
peaceable life
•
2
Thessalonians
3:1-3,
that
f
the word may run swiftly;
o
delivered from wicked and
r
unreasonable men;
The Removal of Obstacles
P • Satan will try to hinder us – with
doubt, discouragement,
r
distractions,
etc.
a
• Beware and stand up to him –
y
2 Cor. 2:11, 1 Peter 5:8-9,
James 4:7
•
When
faced
with
an
obstacle,
f
pray about it!
o
Luke 22:32, Jesus prayed for
r
Peter
Those we are Trying to Reach
P • Romans 10:1
r • Pray for all men –
1 Timothy 2:1,
a
including our enemies –
y
Matthew 5:44-46
• Acts 7:60, Stephen prays for
f
his enemies, including Saul
o • Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive
r
them”
Those we are Trying to Reach
P • Be specific! Pray for the one
r
you want to reach!
a
That they may have an open
y
f
o
r
heart and mind.
For your wisdom, boldness,
opportunities and removal of
obstacles with that person
The church
P • A godly congregation is crucial to
reaching
the
lost
and
establishing
r
babes
a • Pray that she be receptive to the lost
• Pray that she prepares in areas
y
where she is lacking
• For specific efforts – such as our
upcoming Gospel meeting
f • Paul was continually praying for
churches that all might be well.
o
1 Thessalonians 1:3, 6, 9
r
2 Observations
• Prayer does NOT excuse us of
our responsibility to work
• Not everyone will respond, no
matter how much you pray!
• But pray about it anyways!
Let God handle the results!
Am I praying about
the lost as I should?