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The Bible reveals a simple three-step prayer plan for those who don’t know Jesus:
- Pray for them to hear the Word of God.
- Ask that they will change their mind.
- Pray that, upon repentance, they will be filled with the Spirit.
Consider the reaction of those who first heard the Word of God preached by Peter:
When they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-38
The Apostle Paul writes, “How are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 1o:14).
God uses us to preach the Word. We take someone to hear a sermon or speak a brief sentence of truth to a friend. It can be a podcast or other media expression that you suggest.
Preaching is someone in some way giving information about Jesus to another.
God uses our efforts. God empowers our words. He answers our prayers for others to have encounters with the Word of God.
If someone needs to hear about Jesus, pray that they will encounter a spoken/convicting/powerful Word. Right now, pray for them by name. That someone in some way will speak Jesus to them today.
Please note: It could be you!
Now ask for their change of mind.
This is a sovereign work. I don’t believe someone gets up in the morning and says, “I will accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior.” Because of our sin nature, all of us have too many fleshly and satanic barriers to the gospel.
I’ve noted for years that those who accept Jesus comment that they know someone who was praying for them.
Step One: Pray for the Word and deliver the Word too!
Step Two: Pray for God’s sovereign grace to be released for repentance.
Lastly, pray for an infilling of the Spirit.
No one grows to maturity in Christ without the Spirit. In Acts 2, 3000 accepted Jesus. In Acts 4, another 5000 decided to follow Him. In Acts 8, we read that those thousands were scattered over the known world.
The time between Acts 2/Acts 4/Acts 8 – one year. Converted, matured, and obedient in preaching in one year.
Amazing what the Spirit can do in a brief time frame.
Step One: Pray for the word to be revealed.
Step Two: Ask for God’s conviction.
Step Three: Pray that the Spirit would fill and bring change.
It’s not difficult praying for those who need to know Jesus. God loves to answer this prayer. I keep a list of the names. I’m amazed at how God answers my prayers.
God wants to use you too.