The pursuit continues.  God still wants us to continue to pursue the unchurched.  Pursuing them should be a lifestyle.  We are called to be God’s witnesses at all time (Acts 1:8).  The widow woman in this passage had the right idea.  She wanted something from the judge and didn’t give up because she was told no.  She continued to pursue.  Continue to ask.  Continue to seek.  Continue to knock.  Ask God for opportunity to share the good news of the gospel.  Ask Him to reveal the fruit that is ready for harvest.  There may come a time when God tells us to step back from sharing with a particular person for a season, but even in that season continue to pray for them, which continues the pursuit.  God desires that all men should come to a saving knowledge of Him.   And He has given us the honor and privilege of being the vessels He uses.  Praise God for the privilege.

Father, I pray that you will help me to remain in pursuit.  Sharing the good news should be a lifestyle for me.  Help me to share the good news with gladness.  I am asking that you will give me opportunity and reveal the fruit that is ripe for harvest.  You know sometimes I don’t know what to say, but I ask that you will also give me the words.  Equip me for this lifelong pursuit.

Continuing The Pursuit

The verbs tenses in this verse imply ask and keep on asking, knock and keep on knocking, seeking and keep on seeking.  At times we need persistence to receive.  Sometimes we don’t get what we want because we don’t ask.  Asking is the start to receiving.  There are times where you will receive without asking, but more often then not you need to ask to receive.  Think about if Moses would have never asked to see God’s glory.  He would have gone his entire life without seeing the tangible presence of God.  Or if Hannah would not have asked for a son.  We may never have benefited from the ministry of Samuel the prophet.  Or if Peter would  not have asked to walk on water.  He would have missed one of the most significant events in his life.  James 4:2, 3 says, “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Ask God to do a miracle in the life of _________.

Father, I ask that you would do a miracle in _________ life.  Draw them close to You.  The journey has been long, but You are faithful.  Your desire is for all to know Jesus as their savior.  He came for no other reason, but to save that which was lost.  Also, give me the fortitude to ask ________ about entering into relationship with you and ask them about attending church with me.  I also pray for a miracle in my life and the life of my church.  I pray that You will draw the Harvest tomorrow so many can come to know Jesus.  Thank You for what You are going to do.  You can perform miracles if I ask so I am asking! In Jesus’ Name.

Believing for the Harvest!

The fields are ripe for harvest.  Souls are ready to come to Christ.  We sometimes think no one is interested in the gospel.  We think they have heard it all before or they have been put off by carnal Christians.  There are people in our midst that God is drawing unto Himself.  They are ready to receive the gospel.  We must put aside our fears and harvest.  We pass people everyday that need to know Jesus.  We work with them, we live with them, and we play with them.  We are related to some, friends with others, and acquaintances of many.  God is calling us into the harvest field.  Harvest Day is coming this Sunday.  We have been praying for God to move on hearts for 40 days.  Let’s believe God for a miracle, but do our part.  Don’t forget to invite your five this Sunday.  Who knows, Sunday could be the day they are harvested for the Kingdom of God.  Sunday could be the day they begin the journey toward their destiny.

Father, I pray that you will send forth the harvest.  I pray ________ will feel compelled to come and hear the gospel.  Begin tugging on their heart right now God.  I know that no man can come to You unless You draw him.  I pray that you draw ________.  Give them a burning desire for more in life.  Reveal the whole that is in their life that only You can fill.  I pray that you will give me the boldness and courage I need to share.  Use me as an instrument of your grace toward ________.  Help me to share the greatest news ever known to man.  You are alive, care, and want to have a relationship with _________.

Harvesting Souls!

It is easy to begin something well.  We begin well because of excitement, adrenaline, and anticipation.  It is another story to finish well.  Finishing well involves enduring disappointments, setbacks, trials, and discouragement.  Many faint before they finish well.  The Bible encourages us to not become weary.  Weariness does not allow us to be at our best.  The more weary we become the easier it will be to quit.  This is a tactic of the enemy.  He knows that if we become discouraged we will eventually give up.  The people God has asked us to reach are too important to allow weariness to stop us.  If we continue to do good, we will reap the harvest at its proper time if we don’t give up.  Reach out today… it could be someone’s day of harvest.

Father, I pray that You will help me to finish well.  Remove every distraction and hindrance that would stop me from sharing the good news of Your gospel with ________.  I may be tired or weary, but help me to overcome my weariness for their sake.  Lord, help me to finish well.  You have asked me to go beyond my comfort zone so that I may be a vessel for Your use.  Strengthen me so that I don’t succumb to weariness or complacency.  It is easy to say I reached out to _________once and they weren’t interested so my job is done.  Please deliver me from this attitude.  What would have happened if Jesus felt that way about me.  Help me to be steadfast so at the proper time _________ will be harvested as one of Your children.

Finishing Well!

Mercy is when someone does not get what they deserve.  Sacrifice is willing giving up something.  God desires to show __________ His mercy.  Before coming to Christ our willingness to sacrifice is based on natural desires.  After coming to Christ, God empowers us to sacrifice for His kingdom.  God doesn’t want a fleshly offering; He wants to extend mercy.  The catalyst for salvation is God… not man. No one can come to Jesus without God’s mercy being extended to them.  For example, a person is guilty of a crime, but mercy let’s them go free.  Sacrifice is when someone else takes their place.  We were all guilty of sin, but God’s mercy called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, although we didn’t deserve it.  No one could become the atoning sacrifice but Jesus.  God wants to extend His mercy to ____________ because of Jesus’ sacrifice.  He came to call those that are far from Him unto Himself.  Let God use you as a conduit of His mercy today.  ________ life may depend on it.

Father, I pray that you will use me to extend Your mercy to _________.  Sometimes I think that I am sacrificing my comfort, time or whatever.  The truth is the ultimate sacrifice was made by Jesus I am just a vessel.  Mercy gives us what we don’t deserve.  I pray that ________ will receive Your mercy.  Don’t allow them to stay in darkness thinking they can earn their way to heaven through goodness or sacrifice.  You have so much more for them.  Jesus came so they could be free.    Call _________ into the freedom that only You can give.

Conduit of God’s Mercy!

God is concerned about one lost sheep.  Imagine a field with 100 sheep.  A careless shepherd could miss the fact that one sheep is gone because there are so many to tend.  But not our God, He knows each sheep and continues to search for the lost one until he finds it.  God watches over us as a shepherd watches over his sheep.  He knows each one of us intimately.  He knows when one of us is lost.  God probably did not begin His search for _________ with you.  He has possibly been searching for many years. One thing a person does when searching for something is loudly call out.  God is loudly calling  _________.  Don’t feel as if the responsibility for their accepting the good news is completely yours, remember God is searching and calling.  Thank God that sheep know the voice of their Shepherd and when He calls they will follow.

Father, I pray for _________.  They are a lost sheep right now, but You are searching for them.  You are loudly calling them out of darkness into the marvelous light of your kingdom.  Place them in a position to hear Your call.  Let them hear You through their life, circumstances, family, friends, etc.  Interrupt ________ daily life with Your call.  I pray that you would remove any hindrances from __________ clearly hearing You.  Open their ears so they may hear what the Spirit is saying.   You’ve been searching for __________, I pray You will use me to help _________ come into to the sheepfold.

Joining The Search!

Imagine someone untrained in mountain climbing deciding to climb Mt. Everest alone.  In the beginning all seems to go well, but they soon realize they don’t have the proper equipment.  They become disoriented and lose their way.  As a result, the climb becomes more uncertain, difficult, dangerous and frustrating.  Then they meet an expert climber who begins to assist them in their journey.  Can you imagine the joy and relief the unskilled climber would feel?  So it is with us.  Unbelievers or unchurched people are untrained climbers trying to overcome the mountain of life in their own strength.  As long as they feel in control, they will continue to try the climb alone.  Once the journey becomes uncertain, difficult and frustrating, they will look for a helping hand.  God wants to use you as the expert climber to point them in the right direction and assist them along the way.  Your decision to share the good news of salvation could be the difference between life and death.

Father, I pray that You will use me in __________ life.  I may not be an expert but I can bring good news, proclaim peace and salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus.  Use me to point _________ in the direction of a relationship with Your Son.  Show them they are not equipped to handle life on their own.  Father, I pray that you will break through the deception and facade _________ has been trying to live.  Allow them to see that true joy and peace can come only through a relationship with You. I pray that _________ doesn’t wait until they are in a difficult situation to acknowledge their need for You, but that You meet them where they are at this very moment and draw them to You.  I pray that I would have beautiful feet that build Your kingdom and strengthen my brothers.

Climbing Together!

At times we may share the gospel with someone that seems uninterested or they may think they already have the answers and want to argue.  Do not allow them to pull you into a debate.  Scripture says that we are to correct them in humility.  If we become argumentative we lose, because the ground for the gospel will not be fertile.  Remember they do not possess the truth…you do.  You should not be intimidated because of someone’s demeanor.  Our prayer is that they will come to their senses, which means their senses aren’t functioning properly.  They are being taking captive by the devil to do his will… many unknowingly.  It could be the enemy’s attempt to stop you so that he may keep them captive.  Receive strength from God’s words to Jeremiah, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.” (Jeremiah 1:8) You set the atmosphere.

Father, I pray for _________ they need to know you, but they think they have all the answers.  God break into their prideful demeanor in order for the gospel to be effective.  Deliver them from being a captive of the devil.  ________ doesn’t realize that they are being used as an instrument of the devil to do his will, but give me the words and anointing to pierce through the darkness.  Bring _________ to their senses.  __________ can only be delivered through the power of Your Spirit.  I pray that I may approach them with humility and meekness to share the good news of the gospel.  Let Your Spirit fully captivate __________ for Your kingdom and Your glory.

Pursuing In Humility!