6 Words That Can Open Incredible Opportunities for the Gospel
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- Updated Aug 09, 2022
As my husband and I stayed overnight at a hotel on our way to a conference, we stopped by the hotel cafe for breakfast to go. The woman behind the counter seemed to be having a hard day. I felt like the Holy Spirit was nudging me to ask her, "Can I pray for you today?" Before we left, I said to the woman, "I feel like I am supposed to ask you how we can pray for you today?" The woman immediately burst into tears. I walked toward her, and she said that she had been living with someone but was trying to get out and get a house. It seemed like a challenging situation.
The woman was clearly caught off guard and touched by the question. I told her I felt like God wanted me to ask her how I could pray for her and to tell her that He sees her. She thanked us. We would have prayed right then and there, but other customers were waiting. I got her name, and as we drove away in the car, my husband and I prayed over her, believing the Lord would show up in her life. Today we are going to talk through six words that can open incredible opportunities for the gospel.
"How Can I Pray for You?"
This might seem like the most simple question. However, asking someone how you can pray shows that you care and see them. I felt so uncomfortable asking the woman this question, not knowing how she would respond. Still, I knew the regret of missing a Spirit-led opportunity is worse than the embarrassment that may result from an awkward moment.
When was the last time someone asked you this question? What would you say to answer them? When we carry the light of Christ, we hold the joy and the responsibility of sharing His love and gospel with the world. We often do not know how to start conversations about the gospel naturally. The beginning question of "How can I pray for you?" can open the door to see if someone responds with spiritual openness. It can keep the conversation going further to the hope of Jesus.
Pray Right Then, if Possible
It is kind to tell someone that you will pray for them, but it is extremely impactful to pray over someone in the name of Jesus when you are with them. Why wait? There is a person who can benefit from hearing your prayer over them. Why push it off? It is possible to be forgotten if you do. Prayer is a powerful tool that enables us to call on the One who has the ability to change things. Whether He provides a yes, no, or wait, is ultimately up to God. When we pray in front of another person and talk to the Lord on their behalf, it shows His great love for them. Whether they have never heard of Jesus, grew up hearing about Him, rebelled against Him, or have walked faithfully with Him, we can be a blessing to another person made in His image.
Psalm 17:6 says, "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer."
Check out some more amazing Bible verses on prayer by the Bible Study Tools Staff on Bible Study Tools.
Segue into Gospel Conversations
Now that you have taken the plunge into spiritual conversation, if it appears natural or your feel led, you can bring up the person's experience with God or church and start to segue into the gospel. As they share their experiences, ask deeper questions about their history. Get to know their heart and their hurts. Take some time to see if you can share a little about how Jesus has transformed your life and the hope you have in Him.
The God Tools App is a wonderful app to download as a resource for sharing the gospel on the spot. This has many different options. I have used the Knowing God Personally questions. You can honestly invite the person to take a few minutes to go through the app. You take turns with the person reading through the questions and verses, and the gospel will be presented effectively. I have witnessed firsthand how God has used this tool in a young woman's life to lead her to a decision to follow Jesus with her life. God's Word speaks, and it is in the moments when we least expect that He can show up in incredible ways.
From Strangers to Our Every Day
The beauty of asking "How Can I pray for You" is that this question is very versatile. It can be used with strangers who you have never met to the closest of family members and friends. It can be used in your everyday work environment or local coffee shop, on your business trip out of town, or on a family vacation. When we are spiritually aware in our environments, wherever we are is an opportunity to share the love of Jesus. We can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us anything He might want to do. Proverbs 20:12 says, "The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both." When we refocus and ask our Maker what He wants us to hear and see, He will be faithful to reveal it to us.
James 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
We can confess our sins and share in hardships with others. We can pray over others in their sin struggles, and the Lord heals. I love how this verse reminds us that the prayer of a person following after Jesus is both powerful and effective. Prayer is powerful because it calls on our Mighty God and is effective because it produces real change and results. Never stop going to the Father on behalf of others. God's Spirit is moving, and He invites us into where He is going and how He is blessing others.
