Prayer and Evangelism 2015 We need to pray

Prayer and 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 come (Col. 1: 13), but can we pray a for the furtherance of His y kingdom? (Col. 1: 23) • 2 Thess. 3: 1 -2 – that the word of f God may run swiftly o • Such prayers remind us of our r need to seek the lost

Our forgiveness as needed P r a y f o r • We must be right with God to be effective at reaching others Rom. 12: 1 -2, 1 Pet. 1: 15 -16, 3: 12, 1 John 3: 21 -22 • Take care of your sins Acts 8: 22, 1 John 1: 8 • James 5: 16, the prayer of the righteous avails much

Opportunities P r a y f o r • Use us according to His will – Phil. 2: 12 -13, let Him work in us. NOTE: This reminds us to work • Develop our talents Matt. 25: 14 -30 • Open doors Col. 4: 2 -4 • 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 r a y f o r • Matthew 5: 13 -16, Phil. 2: 1416 • 1 Cor. 9: 19 -23, all things to all men! • An application of praying for wisdom!

Courage and boldness P r a y f o r • Don’t be ashamed of the gospel Rom. 1: 16, Matt. 10: 32 -33 • 1 Corinthians 2: 3 • Ephesians 6: 18 -20 • Acts 4: 29 -31, 5: 41 -42 • One of our greatest challenges in reaching the lost

Proper Attitudes toward the Lost P r a y f o r • Colossians 4: 5 -6 • Wisdom is not just what we say, but our judgments, etc. • Be careful not to prejudge who is worthy of teaching! • Are we convicted to try and reach the lost? 2 Corinthians 5: 11

Fellow Workers in Evangelism P r a y f o r • Pray for those teaching and preaching here and abroad! • Luke 10: 2 Matthew 9: 36 -38 • 1 Corinthians 3: 5 -9, Paul planted and Apollos watered, God gave the increase

Fellow Workers in Evangelism P r a y f o r • Do we pray for the preachers we are supporting? • • • Gailen Evans, Santa Paula, CA Tommy Thornhill, Sr. – Ozark, AR Joshua Thornhill – Wildersville, TN Jack Critchfield – New Madrid, MO James Hamilton – Benton, AR Bob Dodson – Hemet, CA

Fellow Workers in Evangelism P r a y f o r • Do we pray for the preachers we are supporting? • • • Dennis Scroggins – Bend, TX Joe Price, – Bellingham, WA Steven Saunders – Macon, MO Danny Gardner– Springdale, AR Brian Yeager – El Paso, TX Richard Soto – Texas & Mexico

Fellow Workers in Evangelism P r a y f o r • Do we pray for the preachers we are supporting? • • • Brian Haines – Hillsboro, OR Don Brady – Hodgenville, KY Brandon Hathaway – Bruceton, TN Daniel Duvall – Waipahu, HI Local support

Favorable political conditions P r a y f o r • The condition we are in does not excuse us – EVER! • But we are to pray for the best of circumstances • 1 Timothy 2: 1 -3, a quiet and peaceable life • 2 Thessalonians 3: 1 -3, that the word may run swiftly; delivered from wicked and unreasonable men;

The Removal of Obstacles P r a y f o r • Satan will try to hinder us – with doubt, discouragement, distractions, etc. • Beware and stand up to him – 2 Cor. 2: 11, 1 Peter 5: 8 -9, James 4: 7 • When faced with an obstacle, pray about it! Luke 22: 32, Jesus prayed for Peter

Those we are Trying to Reach P r a y f o r • Romans 10: 1 • Pray for all men – 1 Timothy 2: 1, including our enemies – Matthew 5: 44 -46 • Acts 7: 60, Stephen prays for his enemies, including Saul • Luke 23: 34, “Father, forgive them”

Those we are Trying to Reach P r a y f o r • Be specific! Pray for the one you want to reach! That they may have an open heart and mind. For your wisdom, boldness, opportunities and removal of obstacles with that person

The church P r a y f o r • A godly congregation is crucial to reaching the lost and establishing babes • Pray that she be receptive to the lost • Pray that she prepares in areas where she is lacking • For specific efforts – such as our upcoming Gospel meeting • Paul was continually praying for churches that all might be well. 1 Thessalonians 1: 3, 6, 9

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?