September 13
Our prayers are not to be a selfish asking, merely for our own benefit. We are to ask that we may give. The principle of Christ's life must be the principle of our lives. "For their sakes," He said, speaking of His disciples, "I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified." John 17:19
“Ask that we may give”, but the question then comes, how do we give?
There is a book with the title, ‘Evangelism made slightly less difficult’ which explores the following Bible text.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:2-6
Try to think that passage through for yourself. Ask yourself the questions
- What is the message I am to give?
- What does it mean to proclaim the message clearly?
- How can I make my conversation full of grace?
Once you have asked those questions of yourself, and hopefully found a few answers, I would love you to then share the questions – and your answers with your prayer partner. You might write your answers down in some form as you may need to use what you have developed.
There is another step to this process, which you might need to spend some time on. Think, with your prayer partner, how you can put your findings into action with the people you are praying for.
Could you create a relationship – at some time – where your interests are open to ask the question, “Why are you a Christian?” This might be where making your conversation full of grace comes in, and may need you to work out how you can show your interests what is so special about your lifestyle. That will involve you in taking time to be with your interests doing something together.
Can you then work out together what message you would give them, and also work out how to present the message really effectively and clearly?
With all that said, doesn’t that call you to deep prayer – because now you really are asking to give.
