Praying Life-Saving Prayers

Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them." Luke 23:34

Stephen prayed, "Father do not hold this sin against them." Acts 7:60

Paul prayed, "My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israelites is that they may be saved." Rom 10:1

Paul trained Timothy, if you want to turn around the church, pray evangelistic prayers. "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people." 1 Tim 2:1-5

Look at why Paul says praying is good. Praying is good because it "pleases God our Savior." God is the only Savior. He wants to do His saving work; that all people come to the knowledge that there is only one mediator between God and humans - Jesus Christ. The purpose of praying and the way to turn a church around is to pray life-rescuing prayers for the lost.

Is this part of your regular prayer life? Do you have the Biblical insight and maturity to know that Jesus has called us on His mission to seek and save those who are far from God?
Do you have deep passion like Jesus, Stephen, Paul and Timothy to pray evangelistic prayers for the lost people in your life?
Do you have sick feelings in your gut because certain people in your life, if they died today, would be spending eternity without God?
Do you pray Luke 10:2, as Jesus taught, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, to send out workers into the harvest. Then, Go! I (Jesus) am sending you out like lambs among wolves."

What daily mission is Jesus asking you to do with those far from God in your life? How will God use you this Easter season? Who is God asking you to invite to Easter series?

Let's pray. Let's go. Let's serve. Let's ask spiritual questions. Let's love. Let's let Jesus adopt people into His family through us. Let's worship.

Saying "Yes" to Jesus' mission together,
Pastor Chris

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