The Prayer That Will Change You

When your church decides to go all-in on making disciples, each of your members will have to make a decision, including you. Not a decision to support what is going to happen, but a decision to be part of it. Lots of church members are fans of reaching the lost in our community. Some even support it. But it is different to decide to be involved. Where do you start?

Some churches just will not decide that making disciples is a priority. They’re not against it, they’re just not going to make it the core mission. But where do you start if you believe that the core mission is to make disciples? What do you do?

I would suggest that in either of these situations, your first step is to pray. 

Here is the prayer that will change you, from Ephesians 6:19-20:

and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul is asking for prayers. You can pray this prayer, and you can ask others to pray it on your behalf. 

Ask for the right words. Some worry about saying the right thing to non-believers. Or they worry if someone will ask a question they cannot answer. So ask God to give you the right words. It may be Scripture. It may be a personal experience or testimony. It may be a story from Scripture or from your community of faith. Ask God to help you know what to say.

Ask for boldness. It is easy to not seize the moment because of fear of how someone might respond. Or to let worry about their reaction prevent you from speaking. Pray for boldness. 

Then, take the opportunity. Tell the good news. Keep the main thing the main thing. Jesus died for our sins, he was buried, and God raised him from the dead. 

Ask God to keep you focused on the message. Ask to keep on task. Ask God to remind you of what you ought to do. 

This is a good prayer for everyone, but especially if you want to be used to grow the Kingdom of God.

But be warned… God will hear you. And answer.

It will change everything. Especially you.