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Witnessing

Whether or not you realize it, there are people who watch your life to see what a Christian is really like. That is one of the reasons why it is important to be a living example of Jesus Christ. It has been said, "You may be the only Jesus some people ever see!" In order to witness effectively to others, fully surrender yourself in obedience to God and expect Him to use you.

What Scripture Says
Be An Effective Example
Develop A Powerful Prayer Life
Demonstrate God's Unconditional Love
Prayer of Consecration and Commitment
Suggested Reading

What Scripture Says

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise...not desiring that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31).

"...he who wins souls is wise" (Prov. 11:30).

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be witnesses..." (Acts 1:8).

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Be An Effective Example

One way to be an effective example is to not let your behaviour contradict your words. The Apostle Paul speaks of this several times in his writings. For example, in 2 Corinthians 6:3 he says, "We give no offense in anything, that our ministry not be blamed."

We must live and work for God's glory, not our own. Paul also says, "Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world..." (Philippians 2:14,15). Never do anything that would compromise your faith and cause you to feel ashamed before God.

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Develop A Powerful Prayer Life

If you really have a desire for others to know Jesus, it is vital that you spend valuable time interceding for their salvation.

Pray for opportunities: If you ask God for opportunities, He will give them to you. Just be sure that God is leading you and that you are being sensitive to the person and the situation.

Pray for guidance and wisdom: The Bible says in James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." He will also give you the right words to say, when the opportunity arises (Matthew 10:19).

As you lift up the names of those on your heart who need the Lord, pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them of their sin and need for forgiveness. In faith, thank God for their salvation despite how things appear at the present time.

Remember to be patient and persistent in your prayers. Some people pray years for the salvation of their family and friends. Sometimes answers to our prayers come soon; sometimes later. But rest assured, it will happen! Trust God's timing and allow Him to do the work His way. We can be encouraged with this truth: "He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

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Demonstrate God's Unconditional Love

Christians are "Ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20), so we need to live worthy of His name. Treating others with love and kindness are major keys to winning them over to the Lord.

Even though your unsaved friends/loved ones may be still living apart from Jesus, you need to love them, forgive them, and accept them. If you truly love God first and foremost, He will give you His unconditional love toward others. The Bible states, "We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:19,20).

If you are holding any grudges against others, God cannot work through you to reach them. Ask Him to help you forgive and accept those who may have hurt you, just as He forgives and accepts you. Jesus says in Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

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Prayer of Consecration and Commitment

Please take a moment now to pray this prayer of consecration and commitment!

Dear Heavenly Father:

Thank you that You have chosen me as Your child and Your witness in this world. Help me to be the kind of person that You would desire me to be. I confess all of my sin, and commit myself to serving You wholeheartedly. Give me the words and the opportunities to share my faith with those who need You so much.

I now commit (list names of those on your heart) to You Lord, believing, in faith, that You will draw them to Yourself in Your time, not mine. Teach me to pray effectively for each person daily, and help me to be a positive example of You in each of their lives. Amen.

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Witnessing

What Scripture Says

Be An Effective Example

Develop A Powerful Prayer Life

Demonstrate God's Unconditional Love

Prayer of Consecration and Commitment

Suggested Reading

PRAYER CENTRE