The Importance of Prayer in Evangelism

“Prayer is a lifeline of New Testament evangelism, the oxygen for its holy fire. The New Testament was born in prayer. It knows no evangelism without prayer and no prayer which does not lead to evangelism. God had joined these together in one piece, and no man must separate them.”  — A.R. Gesswein

From June 6th to June 17th, nearly 250 children will be hearing the gospel through the Vacation Bible School camp our church is preparing to hold. This number includes not only children from outside our church, but also the children of our own church members — children who also desperately need the gospel.

There has already been so much planning involved: gathering the right number of volunteers, preparing decorations, organizing schedules, assigning responsibilities, and thinking through countless details. We are blessed to have many gifted people in our church who can plan, organize, create, lead, and serve in ways that help everything run smoothly.

But if we do not put first things first, all of this becomes merely human work and not God’s work.

Prayer is the most crucial and important place for us to begin. Prayer is our admission that we are weak. It humbles us and reminds us that we cannot produce the results that belong to God alone. Evangelism is spiritual warfare, and without prayer we are weak, exposed, and vulnerable to the attacks of the devil. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:18 to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” We are not called to enter the work of evangelism in our own strength, but in complete dependence on God.

Paul also writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” This is a necessary reminder for us. The work before us is not merely organizational, educational, or relational — it is spiritual. We are pleading for souls. We are asking God to open blind eyes, soften hard hearts, and bring dead sinners to life through the gospel.

Satan is very content for us to have the best programs, the most beautiful decorations, the most organized schedules, and even the most moving songs, as long as we attempt to do all of it without prayer. He is not threatened by our activity when that activity is separated from dependence on God. When prayer is neglected, we begin to rely on our planning, our creativity, our programs, and our own strength rather than on the power of God. But no amount of planning, amazing décor, or even the best program can transform a sinner’s heart.

Only God can do that.

Even when we faithfully share the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection, we cannot open blind eyes. We cannot soften hard hearts. We cannot bring spiritual life. Salvation belongs to the Lord.

That is why, if we truly desire to evangelize, we must first plead with God for His mercy. Before the gospel is shared, we must pray. After the gospel is shared, we must pray. Evangelism cannot be separated from fervent prayer, because the work we are asking God to do is a work only He can accomplish.

As of today, we have 250 children who are registered to attend. Many of you were directly involved in passing out the invitations. We still have 150 spots available; we ask that you continue to invite, follow up with those to whom you’ve already given an invitation.

Dear church, we are asking you to pray. We are asking you to come before the throne of grace and plead with God for these children, their families, and every volunteer who will be serving.

Please pray:

• For staff to rely only on God
• For the hearts of the volunteers to be obedient in the tasks they have been assigned
• For the staff to have compassion for the lost
• For unity among the staff and volunteers
• For boldness to faithfully share the good news of Jesus Christ
• For the children’s hearts to be softened toward the gospel
• That God will give the children desire and hunger for his Word
• For the families of these children to hear and receive the gospel
• For God’s mercy and grace to transform hearts

May this VBS not simply be a well-planned event, but a work of God. May every lesson, song, craft, game, and conversation be covered in prayer. And may the Lord be pleased to use it all for His glory and for the salvation of many souls.

Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine.

"When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand."
Psalm 73:21-23