B - Begin with Prayer (Part 2)

As followers of Jesus, He has a plan for you and me. We matter, and we have a purpose, we have a calling. God is asking us to join the family business of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). He is calling you and me to help others discover the true hope of Jesus Christ, experience his love, and live a reconciled life with Him.  

Even as I write these words, it seems too big. I mean, how can I help with this? It is an overwhelming request to consider. But what if I told you this calling was as easy as BLESSing another. Remember, B.L.E.S.S stands for:

Begin with Prayer
Listen to their story
Eat with them
Serve them
Share your story.   

So our first step doesn't even require us to engage anyone. It starts with prayer. As we have said before, pick three people who need to experience the true hope of Jesus that you know (friend, neighbor, co-worker, family member) and start to pray every day for them.  

As you pick these names, why don't you let someone know that you are doing this? Ask them to check-in and see how the prayer is going. Maybe even consider letting me know, so I can join you in prayer.   

The next question is, "HOW DO I PRAY FOR THEM?" To answer this question, please read Colossians 1:9-13. Here we see Paul praying for the church at Colossae, and we also see a great example of what to pray for others. There are three main things to pray:

1. Pray for Spiritual Wisdom. 

   1. Pray that they would begin to see life through God's eyes and perspective.  

   2. Pray for protection from the lies and deception of the enemy.

   3. Pray that they would start to understand God's love for them. 

2. Pray for their Spiritual Growth.

   1. Pray for them to grow in their understanding of who God is.

   2. Pray for them to grow in their awareness of God.

   3. Pray for them to feel God's love through God's people. 

3. Pray for their Weakness. 

   1. Pray for the pain they are experiencing.

   2. Pray for strength as they walk through the pain they are experiencing.  

   3. Pray that they will experience joy.  

Because of Jesus, you matter. Because you matter, your prayers matter, and you hold power to change lives through a commitment to prayer. 

Join us in blessing others by beginning with prayer!