4TH JANUARY
Romans 10:1-2
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Resolution #4: Pray regularly by name for the people in my life who don’t know Jesus!
Think about the people you know, who don’t know the Lord. Do you think that you have what it takes to change their hearts? They don’t think they need God.
If you’re like me, your answer is ‘no’. We know it would have to be God if our friends, neighbours, classmates and co-workers were to open their hearts to him and the gospel and put their faith in Christ. If that’s the case, then why aren’t we praying about their journey towards Jesus?
From beginning to end the Bible reveals that God answers prayer. The Apostle Paul had experienced so many answered prayers. No wonder he recognised that the most important thing he could do for the people in his life that didn’t know Jesus was to pray for them. As someone has said, “It’s more important to talk to God about people than it is to talk to people about God!”
Of course, when you talk with God about your friend’s spiritual journey to faith in Christ, it usually also leads to great conversations with your friends about God.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Take time right now to write down the names of three people in your life who need to encounter Christ (even if you don’t know them well yet). Then spend some time in prayer that God would open their hearts to him, and that God would open doors for your witness.