Question from a Church Planter> Is Praying For The Lost and Discipleship Biblical?

Question Received (From a Church Planter):

Does the Bible talk about (1)prayer evangelism and (2) discipleship? If so is it important for a pioneering church to pray, evangelize and disciple? And why?

Profile: Male 31-45 North America

MY ANSWER:

Praying for people to be saved can be a mind twister in our human logic.

God saves His elect under His power.

He does not need our help but graciously involves us.

In examining our theologies and theories we must look to Scripture.

God is the Sovereign King.

He does what He wants.

In the fifth century Saint Augustine of Hippo prayed-

“Oh God, grant what Thou commandest, and command what Thou dost desire,”

In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus taught the disciples when praying to the Father in Matthew Chapter 6 -  “your will be done”.

It can seem to be a mystical paradox in considering how or why our prayers are commanded for the salvation of the lost.

1) PRAYER AND EVANGELISM

Yes, the Bible tells us to pray for the salvation of others.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NASB)

“1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Jesus commanded His disciples to pray and participate in the evangelization of the lost.

Matthew 9:37–38 (NASB)

“37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 “Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

2) DISCIPLESHIP

We are commanded to pray for the lost and lift up Jesus.

Salvation comes only from the throne of Heaven.

Discipleship is what we are commanded to do.
We are to teach them how to pray, study, serve and grow in Christ.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)   

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The lost need our prayers and Jesus lifted up in their lives.

The “Born Again” need to be “discipled” as they are taught to walk in faith.

A common yet big mistake the church makes today is that we try to disciple the lost when they need to be evangelized.

Discipling the lost, when they need to be evangelized is like trying to feed a man without a mouth.   

Blessings on you.

I pray you will be busy praying for the lost, lifting up Jesus and discipling new converts.