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Focus

Prayer and Fasting for the USA: 30 April–4 May 2023

Intention

To ready His people to share the good news.

Scripture

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

– Matthew 24:14

Reflection

All believers should love and look forward to the return of Christ. And the text mentioned above makes it clear that we Christians have a real role to play in his return. There is a job to be done. “The fields are white for harvest” as Jesus said in John 4:35.

He also said in Matthew 9:37–38: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”

So, we have a double role to play here. First, we are to pray that God raises up workers. We are to pray that many will go, sharing the good news, making disciples of all nations.

But secondly, we must ask God how we can be an ambassador of the good news. It may not mean going to an overseas country, but at the very least it means being willing to talk to people that we do know where we live and work about Jesus. All believers are called to share the gospel with others.

Yet many find this a bit daunting. But it need not be. Let me make this quite practical, and do so by sharing a personal story. I have a dog who needs walking, so twice a day I walk her to a nearby park. I pass perhaps twenty homes along the way. Some of these neighbours I know somewhat well, some I know just a bit, and some not at all.

But all of them can be prayed for. So twice a day they all get covered in prayer. I ask God to open them to the gospel (if they are not yet believers), and I pray that either I, or others, will be there if and when they want to talk about this or act on this.

This is a win-win situation: Jilly dog gets her two walks a day, and all these neighbours are being lifted up to the throne of grace. While I might get to hear from some of them in this lifetime, chances are it will be in the next life that I fully learn if these prayers have had their desired effect. So I must keep at it, regardless of the outcome.

Yes, God does the saving, but he works through his people. Christ is the Saviour, but our prayers are part of the way that he works to draw people to Himself. Something as easy and low-key as walking your dog can be part of the process of seeing some folks come into the Kingdom.

Keep praying and keep sharing the good news. Or at the very least, be OPEN to sharing the good news, asking God to open up opportunities for you. He is able to open doors if we are willing to open up our hearts to him. Be available, and be committed.

Video

Prayer

Lord, many of us can be reluctant to share our faith. Please make us willing to be willing. Give us a love for the lost, and give us your heartbeat on this matter. Help us to be a praying people, and an evangelistic people, for your namesake and for your glory. Amen.

Author Bio

Bill Muehlenberg is married with three sons, and ministers as an apologist and ethicist in Melbourne, Australia. He was one of the main drafters of the Canberra Declaration.

Bill is a prolific author and a much sought-after media commentator. Bill teaches ethics, apologetics and theology at several Melbourne Bible Colleges. He hosts his own blog CultureWatch.

Prayer Points and Purpose for GO 2023 in May

1. To worship Jesus and give extravagant praise to God. Heb 12:28–29
2. Pray that the Lamb who was slain might receive the reward for His suffering. Rev 5:6–14
3. Pray for revival for Australia and for millions to find Christ. Isa 64:1–2
4. Pray for revival for Israel and millions to find Christ. Rom 10:1
5. Pray for five friends to find Christ and share the gospel with those five in May. Matt 28:18–20

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