I believe that if you would allow Him, God would use you to bring someone into relationship with Himself. I want to equip you; train you to line up under what God has revealed to us through his word, and then put it into practice in your life.
REACH begins with praying for the individual by name, asking the Lord to do five things in his life. We're doing it while we brush our teeth!
1. Set them apart. Asking God to sanctify or set apart your friend is like having a connection with the coach or the panel of judges. It would be like, “Hey coach, that one is special to me. It would mean a lot to me if you would let him make it to the next round; if you would set him apart from the rest.”
2 Thessalonians 2:23-241 Peter 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, John 17:17, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:23
2. Bless them. It is God’s kindness; his goodness or benevolence that leads people to turn from their sin and trust Him. As we pray for them, we should beg God to liberally bless them.
Wouldn’t it be cool if your friend who doesn’t even believe that God exists started having good things just happen in her life.
Romans 10:12-13, 2:4
3. Convict them. In order for a person to trust Jesus, and submit to his authority in their life, they have to be convicted. To be convicted is to be declared guilty, or to admit guilt. A person who has no relationship with God is guilty.
John 16:8-11
4. Illuminate their mind to the truth. It isn’t pleasant or pretty to think or talk about, but the Bible says that the minds of those in spiritual darkness are controlled by the devil. Now, please remove from your mind the image of a little guy in a red unitard with a pitchfork and horns, and realize that’s not how Satan controls anyone. Instead his mind control comes through issues that each person struggles with. Strongholds.
2 Corinthians 4:3-6, 10:3-5, Romans 8:5-8, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Acts 8:26-31
5. Save them. once a person is ready to receive the gospel, someone has to share it with him. By all means, students at CBC should be equipped to share the message of the gospel. Maybe you’re working up to it. You should also be confident that when you bring your friend for whom you have prayed to Fuel, that friend will hear the gospel and have an opportunity to respond.
Romans 10:17, Luke 19:10, Matthew 9:37-38, John 4:28-30, Acts 4:31, Proverbs 11:30, Colossians 4:12-13, Jude 22-23, Jeremiah 33:3*
So my prayer might Go something like: God, I pray for my friend Mike. I’m asking that you would set Mike apart so that you might begin to work in his life. Bless him! It would be incredible if he started to see success in everything he’s doing. I pray that you would bless his relationships and pour out your goodness on him. Holy Spirit, show Mike that he is guilty of not believing in Jesus. Convict his heart so that he might know that he needs you more than anything. Tear down the wall in Mike’s mind, whatever it is, that is keeping him from being able to believe, and save him! Use me; use anyone to share the truth of your love with him so that he can experience life in you, and be sure of his salvation. I’m begging you for my friend Mike, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
*Thomas, Lee. Praying Effectively for the Lost. 01 01, 2003. http://www.pelministries.org/
