3 Different Strategies for Evangelistic Prayer

“Prayer is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings.” Chrysostom

Prayer precedes the work of effective evangelism, whether that is on a congregational level or a personal level.

Recently, I taught a workshop on evangelistic prayer.  It wasn’t so much on the theology of prayer, but rather on the practice.

2 keys to Effective Prayer – John 15.

I’ve found that there are two keys to effective prayer in general.

1. Abide – an intimate relationship with Christ.
2. Ask – Jesus invites us to ask.

This key theological point has rattled my soul.  What can I ask for that would advance God’s kingdom.

As you look at the evangelistic ministry of your church, or yourself as a person, what is something measurable can you ask for?

• That your neighbor will see his or her need for Christ?
• That your church would add 15 new believers this year?
• That you would be introduced to a person of peace to launch a new Bible study?
• That 4 visitors would join the church over the course of the next 8 weeks?

What is something specific that you can ask the Lord for with regards to your evangelism efforts?

3 Prayer Strategies for Effective Evangelism

Effective evangelism prayer begins with looking at the spheres of influence and then developing an effective and practical strategy to lead prayer in that area

1.  Outreach – The Mission of the Church in the Community

One strategy is to have your church grow in its focus on prayer for the community.  This might be expressed in prayer meetings, prayer walks, prayer stations and so forth

Examples:

• The Prayer Station at Faith in Action Sunday
• How to Setup a Prayer Station
• 2 Keys for Reaching a City for Christ
• Prayer Walking and Growing the Church
• Church prays for passion for the lost

In fact, I did a brief case study on a church that is rapidly growing through high adult conversion rates because of prayer (read 3 Keys to Church Growth — Case Study)

If you want to lead an evangelistic prayer group, read up on How to Lead a Prayer Meeting Focused on Evangelism

2.  Invitational – Drawing people to your church

Many people are more comfortable inviting their friends to church.  In fact, the entire attractional model is focused on developing a church experience worthy of invitations so that growth happens by word of mouth advertising.

But prayer is a key component to effective invitational work.

• Pray to Invite Visitors to Church
• Operation Andrew / Bring a Friend Sunday

3.  Personal – praying for people in your spheres of influence.

This strategy focuses on your own web of relationships and intentional prayer for your named friends.

Not sure how to create a prayer list to help you with that?

• Make a prayer list of friends for your journal.
• Ten Prayer Points For your Friends if you don’t know what to pray for.

When was the last time you prayed through your list of friends?