Praying for Gospel Opportunities

In some ways our world is completely different than the world Paul traveled about. Technology and information flies fast and furious in every direction. In the time it took Paul and his friends to travel from Thessalonica to Athens our world could change three times and nearly three quarters of the population would know about each one of them!

In other ways the most important parts of the world we live in are the same as Paul’s. The nature and the need of every human you and I will ever meet is just the same as those in the people who Paul rubbed shoulders with. The solution to man’s sin great problem is also identical. The Lord uses people like you and me to communicate the same gospel message that Paul proclaimed nearly two thousand years ago.

Our world needs upsetting. God wants you to become an upsetter by effectively communicating his truth. In the biblical book called Acts, Paul and his friends upset the ancient world and hopefully some of his passion grips our heart as well. But what will it take to finally ignite you to action? What do you need to become an active participant in impacting this generation for Christ?

Let me suggest the three biggest needs Christians have to become more effective evangelists: opportunities to engage non-Christians, bold courage to actually begin the conversation, and wisdom to know what to say to them once the conversation begins.

Too often Christians find themselves only talking to other Christians. Obviously, there are many excellent reasons we should be coming along side one another to speak God’s truth in love from everything from comfort during crises to exhortations when we are sinning.

Jesus made us to be interdependent. But Jesus wants his body built up in order that we may shine brightly to the lost world around us. If you are exclusively building the body of Christ without every stretching those muscles to engage outsiders, something is wrong.

How do opportunities to talk to unbelievers arise? Watch Paul in the book of Acts take advantage of the gatherings of the religious and pagans right around him. We should also be creatively and intentionally exploring new ways to open up doors for the gospel. But one critical component for obtaining gospel opportunities we must not overlook is to actively pray that our sovereign God will create them.

God passionately wants to save people. He is delighted as his people seek him to provide new avenues to be part of his plan to save a people for his name. I find tremendous encouragement knowing that Paul himself prayed for opportunities and earnestly sought such prayers on his behalf. He challenged the Colossians, “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:3, 4).

As you spend time with other believers seeking out opportunities to upset the unbelieving world around you, earnestly seek God that he might open up doors for the word. Don’t you think that is the kind of prayer that he will answer? I do. If that is the case, why not pray, and then elevate your expectations that God will have you talking about the cross this very week?

Did you notice that Paul also wanted the Colossians to intercede for him to have wisdom in order to know how to make his gospel words clear? When Paul needs prayers like that, we can be encouraged to seek our God for that as well.

As God challenged timid Moses when he sent him to face Pharaoh, God is the one who made the human mouth and he can certainly teach us use them well (Exodus 4:11, 12). God wants to use your mouth to tell those around you about Jesus. Do you think that God will answer your prayers for wisdom to make the message clear? I do.

The boldness behind the witness we see again and again as Paul and his friends moved from city to city in the book of Acts is also another answer to their prayers. After challenging Christians at Ephesians that prayer was a vital part of spiritual warfare, Paul added that they should also pray for him, “that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, or which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19, 20).

Paul needed the right words to say (wisdom again), but he also needed boldness. When we lack courage to say what we need to for the Lord, isn’t it encouraging that we can take those concerns to the Lord? Paul did. Paul also encouraged others to pray for his boldness as well. Seek God for boldness. Do you think that he will answer your prayers for boldness in your witness? I do.

Our fast-paced, high-tech world is filled with people who sin. They need Jesus. Jesus has given you the message they need to hear. Will you become a world upsetter? I know you need opportunities, wisdom, and boldness. The great news is that Jesus has those in great supply! Let’s ask him for those qualities and let’s go to work!