One of my deep convictions is this: when someone asks you to pray for them, stop and pray for them and with them at that moment. You may be with them on-line, on the phone or in person. Wherever you are, stop and pray.
It is often the "christian" answer or response to someone to say "I'll be praying for you." Stop giving it lip service and start giving it life service. Think about it. How much more impact will Jesus have through us if people start seeing our faith rather than just hearing about it? Pray at the store or at school (God isn't allowed there, I know) or on the ball field or out in the street. Where ever you are and someone asks or you feel the need, stop and pray. It will make a huge difference.
One of our favorite events at The Community Fellowship is our Halloween Outreach. Today marks our 3rd one. We partner with several community organizations along with the local TV station BTW21.com. A great event where families show up, get to be on TV, enjoy some fun, get some goodies and mix & mingle with Christians. Yep, non church people come in our doors like few other times. It costs us some stuff, lots of time goes into it, but many relationships have begun because of it.
You may have noticed lately in my e-mails, Twitter updates or on Facebook that I talk about having conversations with people about Jesus. Ok, I said it. I am a talker. Are you shocked? No way. So why not turn the conversations to something that really matters forever? It's not that hard to do.
I challenge you and me to a halloween prayer. Pray that God would help you begin conversations about Him with the people we encounter. They might knock on your door. They may walk past you at the store. But wherever, as you have conversations let them turn in a new direction. Pray for that. Heck, pray for opportunities to pray for people.
This would be a cool testimony to have from people we meet:
2 Corinthians 9:14 (nlt) --- And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.
Know what I'm praying for? I'm praying for lives to be changed. No I'm not praying that our church would grow or that we will be blessed or that we will have money. I am praying that through our efforts God will change people, one person at a time. Know what else? If we don't plan to see it and be part of it, we won't.
Father, use today, halloween, as a day for us to point people in your direction. May we have the opportunity to pray for people, to share with people who are seeking or to influence in some way the people we encounter. Let them see Jesus in our every day words and actions. Thank you for the results. This is my halloween prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.
Comments