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Needs for the month of October:
Baby Food
Look for the bin in the Worship Center lobby to drop off your donations.
Need for the Month: $56,000.00
Need for the Week: $13,000.00
Giving this Week: $9,819.00
October Total: $33,722.00
Latest News
Reading Glasses for the DR
A team from VCA will join in an exploratory mission trip to the Dominican Republic in early November. We would like to take an assortment of reading glasses to be given away at one of
A New Family and a New HVAC Unit
Standing in the Gap
Biblical evangelism is FAITHFULLY and JOYFULLY sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS and LEAVING THE RESULTS UP TO GOD!
Biblical evangelism is an invitation to partner with the Holy Spirit and to trust HIS good work in the lives of people God loves and wants to save.
What better way to partner with God than through prayer!
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30
What is intercessory prayer?
Inter – “between”, Cedo – “to go” – Intercession means to go between.
Intercession for the lost is always the kind of prayer that is always in line with God’s Will.
Why Should we Stand in the Gap?
Evangelism is the Father’s heart, We have to have the Father’s heart.
John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Evangelism IS spiritual warfare so Intercession is crucial.
Ephesians 3:16-19
6I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Evangelism is bigger than you
How then should we pray for the lost?
It Starts with Surrender
Practical Aspects of Praying for the Lost
- Pray for Open Hearts: Ask God to soften the hearts of unbelievers and make them receptive to the Gospel message. Acts 16:14 describes how “the Lord opened Lydia’s heart to respond to Paul’s message” , demonstrating the necessity of divine intervention in the process of conversion.
- Pray for Laborers: Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for workers to be sent into the harvest field. In Matthew 9:37-38, He said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest” . Praying for laborers includes asking God to raise up evangelists, missionaries, and everyday believers to share the Gospel.
- Pray for Boldness and Clarity: Believers can pray for those sharing the Gospel to have boldness and clarity in their witness. In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul requests prayer “that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” .
- Pray Against Spiritual Strongholds: Recognize the spiritual battle involved in evangelism and pray against the forces of darkness that blind the minds of unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 4:4 states, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” .
- Pray for Repentance and Faith: Ultimately, pray that the lost would come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:9 affirms, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” .
Who am I praying for?
Pray for the ones you love.
Pray for the ones you hate.
Love for Enemies
Matthew 5: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor i and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Pray for everyone.
1 Tim 2:1-4
2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Intercession for the lost is always the kind of prayer that is always in line with God’s Will.
- Pray now for a heart for prayer. If you don’t have a regular and thriving prayer life. Ask God to give you passion and a strategy for maintaining consistent prayer. Ask for the Father’s heart. His heart to be connected with you and His heart for the lost.
- Be intentional. Especially if you don’t currently have established habits of prayer. What time’s, places, and touchstone can be environmental triggers to initiate prayer? Jay’s pocket rock.
- Make a list and pray for your loved one and your not so loved ones with a purpose. Use the prayer points above.