"Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words" - attributed to St. Francis of Assisi

Thomas and Cheri Henry, missionaries to Turkey, visited our church several weeks ago and Thomas delivered a message that is just as relevant here as it is in the mission field of Turkey. He shared the somewhat familiar St. Francis quote with us and then challenged that as Christians it is not only important to live an exemplary life, it is critical to be prepared to explain why our lifestyles are different. Words are absolutely necessary if the lost are to hear the words of life that only we can share. (Romans 10:14)

Living a life that exhibits the joy and inner peace of Christ will often give us the opportunity to share the Gospel. When a person within our circle of influence comes to realize their need for what we have found, they will naturally look to us for direction. Who better to share than someone they have come to know and trust, someone they have seen weather the storm and hold fast to the faith?

Thomas went on to share that as Christians, it is important to pray very specifically for those within our influence to find Christ as prayer is the key to evangelism. Many of us have friends and family whom we desire to receive salvation, and to develop a relationship with Christ. The problem is that they are spiritually blinded to the truth, and without the intervening power of the Holy Spirit, they may never seek out what we have found.   As Thomas and Cheri live out the Christian life before those in Turkey, who are beyond "religion", they use the following prayer guide to bring each person before God.

• Pray that the person will be given spiritual sight to see what they are currently blinded to. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4) "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." (2 Corinthians 3:16)
•  Pray that the light of God's truth will permeate the spiritual darkness of the person's life. "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. (Proverbs 4:18-19) For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)
•  Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction upon the hearts of the person so they will be prompted to seek God. "When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." (John 16:8-11)
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to the person in an undeniable way. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:44 
• Pray that the person would have a repentant heart. "Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:25-26)

As you preach the Gospel through living a pious lifestyle, pray earnestly to first bring your loved ones to the realization of what they are missing. When they seek, make sure that you are prepared with the words necessary to lead them to the light we each must find.