Evangelism Through Prayer

As I read Matthew I am reminded and amazed at the centrality of the theme of outreach. To name just a couple instances, in chapter 4 Jesus says to his disciples, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In a very real sense being fishers of men is the central calling of a Christian. In chapter 5 He teaches that we are light and salt, and that the reason we are to let our light shine before men is so that others will see and praise God in heaven.

Then in chapter 9, Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them. Interestingly he does not here send out his disciples. Rather, he teaches them to pray: “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.” Two points are important here. First is the connection between vision and action. Jesus 1) saw—with compassion; then, he 2) acted—instructing his disciples to pray. I am convinced that evangelism is not on most Christian’s radar in life, and the reason is that they do not see the need. If you don’t see the need and you don’t have compassion on the eternal destiny of others, I suggest don’t just pray for God to send out workers; pray first for God to change your heart and your spiritual eyesight.

The second point to be made here is that when I think of different methods of evangelism—relational, tracts, inviting to church, etc., rarely is prayer on my list. Do I truly believe Jesus when he said, “Ask and you shall receive?” Am I praying—consistently, persistently, passionately, urgently—for the lost around me? For my family members, neighbors, for divine appointments?

God, make me so aware of the lost around me, so compassionate toward them, that I not only become a man of prayer for their salvation, but that their salvation becomes one of the main themes and driving forces in my life.