The third prayer need we have in our books is to pray for each individual's personal evangelism. What does this encompass? Let's look at a few things:
1. Personal evangelism is about evangelism. Evangelism is about telling good news. For Christians, we associate this with the Good News: that Jesus Christ, Son of God, dwelt among us for a time, living a sinless life, and dying as the substitute sacrifice for sinful humanity. That He rose from the grave by His own will, and that He will judge all mankind based on their faith in Him. That all who come to Him He will not cast out. (John 6:37)
2. Personal evangelism is about being personal. It's done on a one-to-one or one-to-few basis. We're not talking about seed casting by leaving tracts in doctor's offices or holding signs by the road (while those could be valuable), we're talking about personally speaking with others about whether they have faith in Christ, whether they are blood-bought saints of the Lamb of God. And doing so in a manner that is pleasing to God and respectful to personal needs. (For example: don't witness to the waitress and then be rude to her or stiff her on the tip!!!)
3. Personal evangelism is about people. More than anything, personal evangelism is our work in the ministry of reconciliation between God and man. This is not about politics or church preferences or even moral behaviors. This is about showing people how to have a right relationship with Almighty God. We have no agenda but souls saved for the sake of those souls, not our own glory, when we participate in personal evangelism.
This is what we're talking about when we talk about personal evangelism. Why does it matter? Luke 12:8, Acts 1:8, and other verses remind us that those who are followers of Christ will tell the world about Him. Thus, we're praying that followers will rightly share the Gospel, in an effective and honorable manner.
Thanks!
Doug
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