Praying God's Word for the Unsaved

I found this on the Galkins' site. (The Galkins are an evangelistic team.)

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Romans 10:17 reminds us that "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." When praying for the unsaved that we love it is easy to lose hope. What is needed in many of our prayer lives is a solid dose of God's Word. Please take the following passages and pray through them with the names of those that you are burdended for. Read on to see the verses and prayer examples.

1) Pray for Open Doors

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: Col 4:3

Example Prayer: God please give me an opportunity to share the message of your dear Son with _____________. Please remove distractions and let me have the clarity of mind to present the Gospel clearly. God would you also give me the grace and courage to go through whatever doors you open. - Amen

2) Pray for The Word to Work Swiftly

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 Thess 3:1

Example Prayer: Father God would you please cause your Word to run freely into the heart of ____________. You know how they have heard your Word preached many times. Please do your work through your Word. - Amen

3) Pray for the Word to Break Hard Hearts

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Jer 23:29

Example Prayer: Oh God, break the heart of ____________. It would seem their heart is too hard and they are continually turning away from you. Let the hammer of your Word smash through the false philosophies of this world so that ____________ may see your truth. - Amen

4) Pray for the Word to Discern the Real Issues

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12

Example Prayer: Dear Lord, I do not know what to even think about ____________. What is keeping them from turning from their sin? Please use the seed of your Word that was planted to reveal the true motives of their heart. - Amen

5) Pray that the Written and Living Word would Dispel Darkness

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ps 119:105
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Example Prayer: I Praise you God that your Son and my Saviour is the Light of the World and that He is able to dispel the darkness of this world. Thank you that your living Word can do the same. Please do that work in the life of _____________ my friend. - Amen

6) Pray for the Spirits Conviction

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment John 16:7-11

Example Prayer: Convict ____________ of their sin, their need for righteousness and the coming judgment of God. If your Spirit does not convict who will? - Amen

7) Pray that God’s Desire would be Realized in the Lives of the Lost

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Example Prayer: Thank you for your showing your longsuffering to me. Would you please manifest the same love to __________. Please lead ___________ to a biblical repentance. - Amen

8) Pray for God sent Laborers

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Luke 10:2

Example Prayer: Lord, you know that I have tried many times to share Christ with _____________. It would seem that they are closed to my witness. Please send someone else to them. You are able to call a specific laborer to go to them. Thank you God. I am waiting on you. - Amen

Words of Encouragement from "Gold Cord"

These are some quotes I found in Amy Carmichael's book "Gold Cord". Some are written by her, and some are gems she's passed on to us. :-)

"It matters nothing at all what we are, provided we are entirely willing to be made the instruments of His will, His agents in this world. I do not think we know the meaning of the words strength until we have fathomed our utter weakness."

-Josephine Butler

"A lost battle is a battle one believes lost. There are three courses: you can retire, stand fast, attack. I forbid the first. You can take your choice of the other two."
-Marshal Foch

"'May you obtain strength and support to walk in paths unworn, at the edge of precipices where God alone can keep us in safety,' Didon wrote from his prison in Corbara. How salutary such a walk must be to the soul, for look where one will, in books and in life, those unworn paths are trodden. Unworn? That is not a true word. Never do we go far on any path of perplexity or pain without seeing the footsteps of Him who is invisible, leading on before."
-Amy Carmichael

"The steps of faith fall on the seeming void and find the rock beneath."
-Anonymous

"Beloved, should the brook run dry
And should no visible supply
Gladden thine eyes, then wait to see
God work a miracle for thee.
Thou canst not want, for God has said
He will supply His own with bread.
His word is sure. Creative power
Will work for thee from hour to hour,
And thou, with all Faith's host, shalt prove
God's Hand of power, God's Heart of Love."
-Margaret E. Barber

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In the section of the book that I am reading now, Miss Carmichael is talking about how they prayed for many years about extending their ministry to rescue and reach out to the boys, as well as the girls, who were sold to the temple and to travelling theatres. She told an absolutely heart-breaking story about how a Christian Indian man set out to rescue two little boys, brothers, in particular, and how, even though he almost rescued the younger one twice, he was never able to succeed. "The impenetrable silence of India has swallowed up that woman [who owned them] and those boys." It was so tragic that I would have been crying if I had not been aware of three other people in the car who would have looked at me and made comments.

Following the story, however, Amy talks about God's care over us, who are over more value than sparrows. She then says, "And a story of comfort comes to me, as I think of those little brothers and of others over whom we would write "In vain" if it were not for that glorious "Not in vain in the Lord" that cannot be refuted by anything that can ever happen....At the end of the day, shall we not find them all [the children they were unable to rescue]? Will not all our forlorn hopes look different then, all our winters turn to spring, all our nights to dawn? In this fight for the souls for whom Christ died, may we ever say, 'In vain'?"

Though I have never had such intense spiritual battles for a soul as Miss Carmichael and her co-workers had, I have had opportunities to leave behind gospel witness in the form of a tract or a word, and have even had a chance to witness online to people I've met through blogs and forums (like Jessica, who commented on Hooks and Needles, and some athiests whom I met on the sewing forum that I am on.) Sometimes I, and we all, may wonder if the words I/we said made any difference, whether the devil just snatched them up as soon as they hit the ground. But we have the assurance that our labor is never in vain in the Lord, His word never fails what He sent it out to do. We may never know what happened to those people we attempted to reach, or how the Lord has worked in their hearts, until we arrive in eternity. Should that discourage us? Never! "Not in vain"; Amy Carmichael emphasizes that very clearly in her book. Let us continue to serve the Lord, and leave the results up to Him.

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I hope you have been encouraged as I have! :-)

A Witnessing Opportunity! Woohoo! :-D

Do you ever feel like you have no chance to witness?

If so, start an open, anonymous blog and post something about religion.

Some of you may have seen that I posted my "investments" post on Hooks and Needles, and one girl (whom I don't know) way reeacted to my comment about Judaism (above the picture of the Rebecca doll). This is what she said:

"'Judaism is an incomplete religion without Jesus Christ, definitely, and has really strayed from God'

"I find this very offensive. You are no one to judge a religion. You may have 'apologized' for your words by saying that "the Jews are still God's chosen people" and commend AG for supporting them but I do not think that makes up for what you wrote."

Whew! At first I was shocked! Like, okay! But then I began to get hopping excited-- Here is an opportunity to share Christ!!!

So I wrote a long answer but I haven't posted it yet. I am going to bring it to the Rings this evening for Pastor Greenfield to read, since he'll be there, and Lord willing post it tomorrow. So, you all have to assignments.

• Tell me what you think of my answer (posted below) and let me know if you see anything incorrect or something I can add.
• Pray that the Spirit will move and that God will work in this girl's heart!

So here it is:

Hi Jessica,

Thank you for your comment! I appreciate your thoughts, and am glad you felt free to share.

I am not sure what religion you follow, and if you do follow Judaism, please accept my apology if I have caused offence! My words were in no way meant to bash Judasim.

I love the Jews and believe they are God’s chosen people. Judaism in the Old Testament (the Torah) pointed forward to Christ, but throughout the Torah, they, as a nation, turned to the world and began to mix with the other nations, disregarding God's ways. They had religion, but not relationship with God or a pure heart before God (collectively).

As well as making the Jews His chosen people, God also ordained the sacrifices and laws in the Old Testament. These sacrifices and laws pointed forward to Jesus Christ, God's Son (Hebrews 8:5), who came in the form of human flesh to redeem His people-- both Jews and Gentiles-- from their sins (Matthew 1:21). According to the Bible, which is the inspired words of the God who created and sustains us, Jesus is the only way to heaven. Any religion that does not preach that our only hope is in Jesus Christ is incomplete. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

The goal of religion is, basically, to reach perfection or heaven (though religions vary on their beliefs regarding that). The only way we can get to heaven, though, is to have a clean conscience and a pure heart before God. Tragically, each of us has sinned and therefore are at enmity with God, who, because He is so pure and holy, cannot look upon sin. According to the Bible, in other religions “gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshipper, but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. But when Christ appeared as High Priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tabernacle (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:9-14) In short, Jesus, who is perfect and sinless because He is God, is the only one who could qualify to take the punishment of our sins upon Himself once and for all (instead of repeatedly like the sacrifices of the Old Testament) and to make us right with God.

It is not I who say that Jesus Christ is the only way; neither am I judging any religion. Jesus Himself, who made you and formed you for His glory and loves you, said it. "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)

Again, Jessica, I am glad you commented! It was a joy to share with you. God is so great and good and I am glad I could share with you His message to all—that our hope is in Him! May the Lord richly bless you!

In Christ,

“Elinor”

Hell's Best Kept Secret

Recently the Lord began to impress me with the great need to share the Gospel with the lost. When He put an opportunity to witness right on my lap (via my laptop!), I realized I needed to know how to witness, where to start, what to say. The Lord led me to pick up my sister's copy of an amazing book, Hell's Best Kept Secret, written by Ray Comfort, evangelist, author, and host of the award-winning TV show, The Way of the Master.

In the preface, the author presents his reason for this book. Many people do not hear the Gospel because Christians are bound by fear of rejection or fear of saying the wrong thing. In addition, many people think they are saved because they have been reached by a false Gospel under the name of Christianity. The purpose of Hell's Best Kept Secret is to break away from the present-day, faulty evangelistic fads and to return to "the way of the Master", the way that Jesus and Peter and Paul evangelized in the Bible. Ray also desires to give answers to frustrated Christians who are unsure of how to witness, and to inspire them to go forward for Christ's kingdom with fresh zeal.

Ray begins explaining the errors in modern-day "evangelism". Instead of giving a Gospel that calls people to repentance and surrender to God, people today advocate a man-centered Gospel. They say things like, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!" "Jesus will make you happy!" The Gospel becomes "a ticket out of hell" and allows people to continue to do whatever they wish with their lives. In most of the great evangelical campaigns, quite often less than 20% of the people who have professed salvation have stayed true and shown fruit of salvation. What has gone wrong? Is the Gospel less powerful today than it was in the days of Paul?

By no means! Ray Comfort reveals the major element missing in the popular Gospel presentation today: the Law. He explains, by Scripture and through colorful illustrations, that unless a person realizes their spiritual destitution and their need for God, they cannot experience true salvation.

Scripture sheds light on the function of the Law. The Law can never save anyone, and yet it is needful for a person to see their need for salvation. The Law (1) convicts of sin (Acts 24:24-25), (2) produces understanding (Hosea 4:6, Matthew 13:23), (3) builds faith (Romans 1:17, (4) exposes sin (Romans 7:7-8), (5) prepares the sinner to receive Christ (Luke 19:1-10), and (6) is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Drawing from Christ's encounter with the "Rich Young Ruler", Ray presents the principle of using the 10 Commandments in witnesses to convict the sinner of his sin and of his need for God. Based off of the account of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, he presents for principles to remember while witnessing to someone: (1) Relate (finding common interest, beginning a conversation), (2) Create (swing to a discussion of the Gospel), (3) Convict (help the person to see his need for God), and (4) Reveal (share with them how their sin can be forgiven and how they can have a personal relationship with God.)

In addition, the author answers questions such as, When and where should I engage in a spiritual conversation? How do I begin a spiritual conversation? When do I begin to talk about Jesus? How do I know a person has truly been saved? What do I say when a person has prayed for salvation? Can I be a witness for Christ? He also includes an eight-page appendix of additional frequently asked questions regarding witnessing, and answers to those questions.

This book was a great blessing and encouragement to me, as well as a huge motivator for me in sharing the Gospel. As well as helping me to know how to share Christ with others, it filled me with a fresh realization of my own sinfulness and a renewed appreciation and awe for the wonderful work Christ has done in me. After reading Hell's Best Kept Secret, I hope that I am now better equipped to take part in God's purpose for all believers: to disciple the nations. I highly recommend this book to those of you who desire to serve Christ with confidence and wisdom.

Hell's Best Kept Secret is copyrighted 1989 by Whitaker House and can be found at your local bookstore or at Living Waters. In addition, audio lessons, articles, and videos by Ray Comfort and his co-host Kirk Cameron regarding witnessing/evangelism can be found at The Way of the Master's website.

Origin of Species Challenge

Here is something on Way of the Master's current project. I would love to get involved, but getting other people involved may be a challenge.... and I'm afraid I have big ideas...
But as you watch, maybe you can consider what you can do. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Make sure you browse the rest of Way of the Master's resources at www.wayofthemaster.com !

Emergency!!!

I want you right now to get up from your computer chair and walk to the nearest window. See a house? Does your neighbor live there? Perhaps you don't see a house from out that window. Try another. Does your neighbor live that way? Maybe you have no neighbors. Drive to the nearest gas station or WalMart. Did you see someone there? Not necessarily someone you know. Just anybody. Sure you did. I'm sure your region didn't just get evacuated, or if it did, you would have gone too. You saw scores of people-- so many people that just mix in one with another like colors on a tapestry. You barely notice any of them, except the one you bumped into in the food section or happened to be trying on shoes in the same aisle as you.

Sign into your Facebook. How many friends do you have on there? There all Christians, right? Uh... probably not. Think about where you work, if indeed you do have a job. You work with a lot of people, don't you? Whether they be coworkers or people in the drive-through or at the counter or whatever! I'm sure all those people who went by were Christians. Or were they? Well if they weren't, they seemed okay, didn't they? They didn't go through the drive-through yelling, "Hurry, hurry, I'm in a hurry-- I have no time to loose! I'm dying!" No, they got their sandwich or their cash, smiled, said, "Thanks; you have a nice day," and drove away in a carefree manner. But they don't realize something... do you realize it? Realize what?

LISTEN FOLKS!! THE WORLD IS UNDER CODE RED!!!! Code Red, I said! The world is in a state of impending disaster. The lost of this world are going about their days content, not knowing of the danger that is coming. The saved of this world are going about their days content, thinking that at least they are going to Heaven, they have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Listen, guys! Those people who drove out the drive-through are driving to certain death! Perhaps not a car crash, or rolling over a land mine. But they are driving to certain death.

Each person is one day going to be faced with death. "For it is appointed once for man to die..." And each person is one day going to be faced with eternity. "...and after this the judgment."

What judgment? The day when all those who have rebelled against God and rejected Christ will stand before God and hear those awful words, "Depart from me into everlasting torment!"

I wish you guys could understand the heavy conviction that has been on my heart the last couple days, that people are dying around me and I hardly notice. These days grow worse and worse-- Socialism, Communism, Islam, atheism-- and why? Because we are silent! Face it, we do not speak up for Christ as we should. When was the last time you witnessed to somebody? Do you have any friends that on the Judgment Day will turn to you with wide eyes and say, "You are a Christian? Why, oh why didn't you ever tell me? Why didn't you show me how I could be one?"

Read Acts. That has been my pleasure this last month and it has brought me under such conviction. In Acts 2, Peter preached to the Jews in Jerusalem at Pentecost, and 3,000 people came to Christ and remained in Him (2:41-42). Daily people were coming to the Lord (2:47). When God healed (through Peter and John) a lame beggar, even though the apostles were imprisoned, many people came to know God through it, and the number of the men (as in, males, so, not including the ladies) came to about 5,000 (4:4). After the scenario with Ananias and Sapphira, more than ever believers were added to the Lord, both men and women (5:14). Philip preached the Gospel to great crowds (8:4-8). He took the opportunity to witness to an individual whose heart God has prepared (8:26-40). God saved the wicked persecutor, Saul (ch. 9). God reached out to the Gentiles through Peter (ch. 10). Barnabas and Paul preached to people all over Asia Minor, and many came to Christ and healthy churches were established (13:12, 44, 48; 14:1, 21; 16:5, 34; 17:4, 11-12, 34; 19:6-10, 20; 28:24, 31; and more included). In about thirty years time, Christianity had infiltrated the whole Roman empire. No wonder the Jews of Thessalonica said, "These men...have turned the world upside down!" No wonder the Pharisees, in trying to silence Jesus, cried out, "You see that you are gaining nothing! Look, the whole world has gone after Him!"

And yet every year the number of Muslims in European and American population grows drastically, while the Christian population has dropped rapidly in the last one hundred years. More and more, the threat of Socialism and Communism becomes apparent, while the Biblical principles of freedom and justice and godliness are thrown out the door. Why?

Because the Christians are silent. We are afraid of offending others by "interfering with their religion". We are content to fellowship with our fellow Christians, and of course, "we must be separate from the world." We advocate an unBiblical understanding of "separation" over God's clear command to be His witnesses in "Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth." We are supposed to be salt-- salt counteracts the growth of yeast. We are supposed to be light-- and darkness is merely the absence of light, which only light can penetrate and overcome. We are supposed to be gospelizing for Christ, and the world is slipping right into hell because we have neglected that important command.

I am not trying to pull a guilt trip on you for not handing out tracts, or preaching on the street corner. But I am trying to impress you with the urgency of our mission. It is the reason why Jesus left us here. We live in a free country-- at least, it is free at the time that I write! We are free from our sins-- how can be content with ourselves being safe while family, friends, and neighbors are dying and going into eternity without knowing God?

Amber (a.k.a. "AStitchinGal") (not Lilly) and I have sort of ended up in a joint evangelism effort on the sewing forum we are on, sharing the Gospel with those who call themselves athiests or non-Christians. (Actually, we both spoke up individually when a conversation arose about different religions. She was the first to speak and encouraged me to do so as well. Thank you again, Amber!) I am wondering if you will join us to witness for Christ in the time that we have! And please feel free to share ideas to witness. This is an urgent mission. Death is not waiting for us to speak up. We must speak now.

Thoughts on Government

I decided to start my Government for this year, even though I am not finished with Economics. It is definitely feeding my interest that I have in Government/American history (though present politics can stress me if I let it. ;-) ) I am always intrigued when I read about the Christian foundations of America, and my heart goes out to those people who have suffered under the governments that have forsaken God. How terrible it is that our nation is heading in the same direction as many of those other nations which were so swiftly, so suddenly overtaken by the monsters of Socialism and Communism. Allow me to share a couple random thoughts from my Government (American Government in Christian Perspective, Second Edition; A Beka Book).


"Victor Hugo has left to us a bit of interesting history concerning Napoleon and the Battle of Waterloo. On the morning of the battle, the little dictator stood gazing upon the field of battle as he described to his commanding officer his strategy for that day's campaign:
'We will put the infantry here, the cavalry there, the artillery there. At the end of the day, England will be at the feet of France and Wellington will be prisoner of Napoleon.'
After a pause, the commanding officer said, 'But we must not forget that man proposes but God disposes.'
With arrogant pride the little dictator stretched his body to full height and replied, 'I want you to understand, sir, that Napoleon proposes and Napoleon disposes.'
Hugo went on to write,
'From that moment Waterloo was lost, for God sent rain and hail so that the troops of Napoleon could not maneuver as he had planned, and on the night of battle it was Napoleon who was prisoner of Wellington, and France was at the feet of England.'" (-Lehman Strauss, page 16)



"The appeal of socialism is to human weakness-- the desire to avoid responsibility and the craving for material gain. It offers security as a substitute for opportunity, and the price is freedom." (-Charles B. Shuman, page 22)



"Is there hope for the future? Because of the satanic character of Communism, there is ultimately no help or hope in merely human resources. Communism is an ideology, a religion, a philosophy of life. It is useless to oppose Communism with something as nebulous as 'Americanism' or 'the free enterprise system'. As Alexander Solzhenitsyn has eloquently and forcefully said, Communism arose because 'men have forgotten God.' The battle against Communism is basically spiritual and will be won only by spiritual resources-- belief in the reality of God and the Christian perspective of life. The antidote for world Communism is world evangelism. It is to take our Lord's words seriously when He commissioned His followers to disciple the nations. Only a life of vigorous, vital, vibrant Christianity in the life of a nation can overcome Communism from within and without." (page 33)

The Elements of the Great Commission

My most recent lesson from IBE (Institute of Biblical Education, from Bob Jones, taught by Mark Minnick) was about the Great Commission as stated in Matthew 28:1-20. It was so convicting and exhorting to me to fulfil God's purpose for me as well as for all his followers: to "make disciples" of the nations. I wanted to share some of what I learned.

The four verbs in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:1-20:

1. Teach. This is the Greek word matheteuo: to disciple. Therefore, this word is properly rendered, "make disciples".
2. Going. The word "Go" is actually not an imperative, believe it or not. The Greek word is in participle form, therefore is signifies "going", or "as you go".
3. Baptizing. Baptism doesn't "get you saved", but it is the response of one whose heart is changed by the Holy Spirit, and is when a new Christian outwardly identifies himself with Christ. (It is often a huge thing in other cultures because the Christian is signifying to his lost relatives and friends that he is utterly leaving behind his old life and beginning is new. It often is the determining factor for persecution!)
4. Teaching. This is a different word than the "teach" in verse 19. This is the Greek word didasko, which means "to instruct in doctrine".

Another thing Pastor Minnick pointed out was how the Great Commission includes EVERY believer of ALL times. That means me, a disciple of Jesus Christ. My commission is to be an extension of Christ's-- to introduce souls to the kingdom.

"The great design and intent of the Christian ministry is to restore the throne and dominion of God in the souls of men."

-Cotton Mather

What Not to Worry About

Yesterday in Pastor's afternoon message about "Ministering the Gospel in Athens" (from Acts 17:16-34), he touched on something that really stood out to me. His point was, don't consume your time and energy on things you can't change-- as a Christian, do what God has called you to do, which is to give the Gospel. I realized as he spoke on this how much time and energy I spend in worrying about things I can't change. The night of the election (Nov. 4), I was thinking a lot about the elections, wondering who had won it, and my dreams were filled with Obama and McCain-- Obama doing all these dreadful things, and things like that. And after that, I tended to worry about what might happen now, what will change, and such. But no matter how much I worry about things, (1) it doesn't change anything, and (2), I still don't know what's going to happen-- only God does! So it gets me nowhere! It's just a waste of my time and mental capacity!

So what is the solution? What should I do instead?

Just what God tells me to do (and there are no "ifs", "ands", or "buts" about what culture I was born into, what point in history I live in, who is the ruler of my nation, etc.): Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Plant and water the seed! Introduce souls into His kingdom! That is our mission as Christians, and that will change the world. Not huge political gatherings. Not organizations against this or that problem in government or society. Not worrying. Not arguing. Just the Gospel of Jesus Christ-- a thing that is timeless in its message and eternal in its truth. As Christians, we must be consumed by His glory, and jealous for His glory. Ours souls must be "attuned to the eternal".