Series Summary
One of the greatest tools we have in our spiritual arsenal is the ability to pray to a Father in Heaven who is willing to listen to us. And yet, many Christians don't seem to know how to pray, or even why to pray. Sometimes, we neglect this incredible opportunity, and we continue to operate by our own strength... which doesn't work well, or for long. The Bible has a lot to say about the topic of prayer: why it's so important, what to pray for, how to pray effectively, and so much more. In this series, we'll dig into some of those passages and learn more about prayer... so that we can pray better.
Sermon Summary
Prayer and evangelism are two parts of the Christian life that are deeply connected. When we think about sharing the gospel, we often focus on what we should say, how we should say it, and whether someone will respond or not. But before we ever speak to someone about Jesus, we should be speaking to Jesus about that person. Prayer reminds us that salvation is ultimately God's work, not ours. We cannot change hearts... Only God can do that. Our responsibility is to faithfully share the good news while depending on him to work in the hearts of those who hear it.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-6, Paul reminds us that God's desire is for people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. This should shape both our prayers and our priorities. Every person we encounter is someone God loves, and someone that Christ died for. When we begin to see people as God sees them, our prayers become more intentional, and our willingness to share our faith increases. Prayer doesn't just prepare the hearts of those who need Jesus; it also prepares our hearts to reach them.
When we ask God for open doors to share our faith, we must be willing to walk through them. As we pray for boldness, we must be ready to speak. As we pray for lives to be transformed, we must trust the power of the gospel to accomplish what we cannot. Evangelism without prayer relies on our strength, but evangelism rooted in prayer depends on God's power. So who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? Pray for them, and pray for an opportunity to share Jesus with them.
