1 Timothy 2:1-8, First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.
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Lesson One: Prayer has to become our first priority and not our last resort.
1 Timothy 2:1, First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…
Colossians 4:2, Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Romans 12:12, Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Ephesians 6:18, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…
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Lesson Two: Prayer for the salvation of others is essential for the people of God.
Numbers 14:19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.
1 Samuel 12:23-25 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.
Daniel 9:17-19 So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary. Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name.”
Acts 7:59-60 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Romans 10:1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
Luke 23:34 Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
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Lesson Three: The nature of evangelistic prayer.
Supplication (deēseis)—heart-felt petition, arising out of deep need (sense of lack, want)
Prayers (proseuché)—prayer (worship); properly, exchange of wishes
Intercession (enteuxeis)—Spirit-directed intervention, revealing how the one intervening should get involved after drawing near to God and agreeing with His revealed will.
Thanksgiving (eucharistias)—the giving of thanks for God’s grace.
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B.L.E.S.S.—5 MISSIONAL PRACTICES TO HELP INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO JESUS
B: Begin with prayer
When Jesus started His earthly mission, Luke 6 tells us that He went out on a mountain and prayed. Prayer is both how you discover your mission and how you live out the mission. Over and over again, we see Jesus retreating to pray. If you’re not sure who God is calling you to bless or where God is calling you to go to be a blessing, you can begin with prayer. And if you know the people you want to bless, begin praying for those people now.
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L: Listen
Asking questions and then listening was central to Jesus’s life and teachings. Consider the blind man in Luke 18. Jesus didn’t assume the blind man wanted to see. First, He asked, “What do you want me to do?” Then He listened…
In the Gospels, Jesus asked many more questions than He answered. Of the 183 different questions He received, Jesus answered only a handful. Any relationship starts with listening to someone’s words and life. True listening may be the kindest and most loving gift you can give someone.
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E: Eat
Over and over again, as in Matthew 9, we find Jesus with tax collectors and sinners…doing what? Eating! There is something about sharing a meal together that moves any relationship past acquaintance toward friendship–faster than just about anything else we can do.
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S: Serve
Jesus told us, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” He modeled for us that once you begin with prayer, listen, and eat with someone, there is a good chance that you’ll discover how you can best serve the person God is asking you to bless.
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S: Story
When people were ready to listen, Jesus would share His story. Like when doubting Thomas came to him asking, “How can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” When you befriend and bless people, they feel relationally safe and want to know your story. This allows you to tell them how the love of God and Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection have changed you.