Pray: Be a Christian

To effectively talk to people about Jesus we need to have a current, honest and intimate relationship with Him.

When we are in close relationship with Jesus the abundance of His love will flow out of us and sharing the gospel will become easier.

It might seem obvious, but being a Christian doesn’t just mean that we believe Jesus is our Lord and Saviour. Following Jesus means we’re his disciples, and just like his original disciples, we need to have a close, daily relationship. And out of that we will have an abundant desire to share him with those around us.

In any relationship, familiarity comes through communication, and life with Jesus is no different. Our modern idea of prayer can often be reduced to a one way conversation with God. But when it comes to being a disciple of Jesus, your prayer life needs to be more than that. You need to know His voice to respond to opportunities and navigate conversations; you need to be familiar with Him to know how to call out lies that dress up as Him; you need to be familiar with Him enough to present Him to all kinds of people, and to respond any time, any place to questions about Him.

Here are three important parts of prayer to remember and practice:

Step 1: Get into God’s presence daily and be filled with the Holy Spirit

It doesn’t matter where or when you do this, or even how long, it’s just important that you carve out time each day to authentically connect with Jesus. Spending time with someone is the only way to get familiar with them. This prayer time doesn’t need to be overcomplicated; it can be as simple as saying, ‘I’m here God, I love you, what are you doing today and how can I get on board?’ Then, through worship and reading the Bible, allow the Holy Spirit to direct your heart and mind.

Step 2: Pray for whoever the Holy Spirit puts on your heart

Ask Jesus to bring people to mind to pray for, who don’t know Him yet. It could be people you’ve just met, or it could be those you’ve been praying for for many years. Salvation is the Holy Spirit’s work; so it’s crucial to align with His plans and participate in His work among those we know. Even if you’re not sure if it’s the Holy Spirit or you, pray for them until you’re able to recognise His voice. It’s pretty likely to be God’s voice if you’re feeling the prompt to pray.

Step 3: Pray throughout the day

The Bible says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Prayer is more than a conversation or a thought dump to God; it’s a lifestyle. Think of it as a running conversation between you and the Holy Spirit, praying for the people and situations you come across moment by moment. In this way, you’ll be available whenever an opportunity comes to share Jesus.

Challenge yourself to personally connect to God in these ways everyday so that you can share Jesus with authenticity. You’ll be amazed at what happens!

Remember

Sharing Jesus beings long before the conversation begins; get familiar with Jesus.
Prayer is a lifestyle, not a conversation or a thought dump.
Get into God’s presence daily.

Next Steps

Try “praying without ceasing”: look for mundane things, not ‘spiritual’ things, and invite God into those moments by talking to Him about them.
Ask for people to pray for – maybe keep a note on your phone of everyone you’ve said you’ll pray for.
Begin a daily rhythm: pray a Psalm first thing in the morning.
Read a good book on prayer: Prayer for Beginners by Peter Kreeft, Practising the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, God Has A Name by John Mark Comer.
Pray now: set a 1 minute timer and pray until the timer goes off.

Scriptural Support

Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)

Pray without ceasing.

1 John 5:14 (NIV)

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

John 15:7 (ESV)

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Matthew 6:7 (ESV)

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

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