In this article we will take a look at the importance of prayer in evangelism, as well as the contents of our free printed Christian bookmark that has key prayer points for the work.
“Not to pray because you do not feel fit to pray is like saying “I will not take medicine because I am too ill.” C. H. Spurgeon.
It’s the start of a new year as I write this article. I looked this morning, as I often do, at the daily devotional by C. H. Spurgeon – Morning and Evening.
This morning’s devotional was all about the importance of continuing in prayer. I thought I would share it with you and give you some thoughts on the importance of prayer in relation to evangelism.
You can read all of these morning and evening devotionals online at no charge at the website www.Biblegateway.com
Here is the devotional in full:
Continue in prayer. Colossians 4:2
It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob—there a Daniel who prayed three times a day—and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of his love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, “Continue in prayer.”
Answers to prayer
I have had some pretty amazing answers to prayer when evangelising before. Instances that can’t be described in a powerful enough way here, because the Lord meets us so very personally through prayer – they will never mean so much to others as what they mean to you when He answers. Be assured of that. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8 is a great promise. Underlined by a great word, “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.
I want to encourage you here to seek the Lord as much as possible, as a good habit each day in all that you do. That “all that you do” I hope would include before, during and after the reaching of others with the Good News of Jesus. From the handing out of a printed Gospel tract, to giving out an invitation to people to attend a Church event. We must be praying for the souls of all who receive. We are utterly nothing without the Lord helping us in such works. Our labours are in vain. “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” Psalm 127:1. We are told to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. I find that many situations about making the Good News known to the unbeliever can be scary, prayer is a great help. I also have no idea what sort of conversations, objections and reactions I am going to get. However, I can put my trust completely in the Creator of the Universe for every possible encounter. He is able to supply all our needs in every situation.
Here are some great quotes on prayer from the highly recommended book “Developing a healthy prayer life” by James W. Beeke and Joel R. Beeke. This is a devotional that I use again and again (because our prayers should be different every day and therefore, this applies to us anew every day) – 31 chapters so you can read one a day.
“If you are waiting to approach God until you can offer “good” or “true” prayers, you are waiting in vain.” See Luke 18:13.
“You are too sinful not to pray; sinners are the very people who need prayer. Therefore, pray.”
“….faith expects and desires God’s answer, not my answer. Submission humbly receives what the omniscient Lord grants.”
“…other-orientated love must be evident in our prayers…. If we truly love others, we love to pray for others.”
Our free Christian printed bookmarks
Some of you who have ordered free printed Gospel tracts or posters from us before may have come across one of our free printed bookmarks. These were produced to inspire evangelism and encourage prayer each day, with your works in reaching others with the Gospel.
Here are the details I included on that bookmark (click here to view the design):
The title shows a brief conversation between people:
Person one: “I don’t feel I’m gifted in evangelism.”
response: “But you sing, and you’re not gifted in singing!”
“Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15
"Lead me to some soul today,
O teach me, Lord just what to say;
Friends of mine are lost in sin,
And cannot find their way.
Few there are who seem to care,
And few there are who pray;
Melt my heart, and fill my life,
Give me one soul today."
W.H. Houghton, 1936,
(renewed 1964, Hope Publishing Company.)
1. Pray for the salvation of family members, and those who are in the close sphere of our day-to-day influence.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:4
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 19:19
2. Pray for brethren and their witnessing influence to family members and those in
their close sphere of day-to-day influence. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
3. Pray for the salvation of strangers - anyone we might come into contact with today - that opportunities will arise.
Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Matthew 4:19
4. Pray for more brethren to boldly witness for Christ in our neighbourhood,
in our town or city, in our country and in other countries too. “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:38
5. Pray for enemies of the Gospel - our own, those who are enemies of the brethren we know and of the entire body of
Christ - in our neighbourhood, town or city, our country and other countries too.
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
6. Pray for your pastor as he strives to be faithful in preaching the Gospel, to both believers and unbelievers.
“…praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ…” Colossians 4:3
7. Pray that you might spur others on to good works in the Lord on this day. “Let us consider one another to provoke unto
love and to good works.” Hebrews 10:24
You have probably guessed by now, we can help you with the printing of bookmarks. These are a great way to keep your ministry details in front of your supporters, and prayer requests you have in direct relation to that. If you would like a quote on bookmarks, please contact us and we would be very happy to help!
Living Waters EU produces some excellent resources including printed Gospel tracts, Evangelism books, videos and YouTube videos. We help them with their printing needs including tracts, folded flyers, booklets and bookmarks they designed. Talk to John Harris there about Evangelism!
They left us a five-star google review about our print services. They said:
“Great service! Gone to Nigel with many projects, and will continue to do so”
What do you use to help you in prayer through your evangelism work? Contact us if you would like us to help you with a Christian bookmark project. You can also contact us to request a free evangelism bookmark.