Start with the Early Offer of Prayer

Russell Godward (right) and team.

I’m working on a book on Acts and the Movement of God. My editor rightly points out, I need more contemporary stories that help people bridge the gap between the Book of Acts and our experience. Here’s one of those stories.

John McGinley was the senior ministry of Holy Trinity Anglican in Leicester, England. He’d just returned from meeting with his staff to discuss a proposal that we train people to go into the community offering prayer. It was bad news, “Steve, my team agree this won’t work in England. It may work in Australia, but it’s different here. We will not be welcome if we visit people in their homes.”

Then he added, “On the other hand, nothing is working here, so why don’t we give it a try!”

Two months later we trained seventy-five people from churches in Leicester and around the country to visit homes and pray for people. In five days over 1,200 homes received a visit and of those over 400 welcomed prayer. Most of the others were still happy that we dropped by.

What happens went you offer to pray for people? Here are some responses I’ve had: “Wow, I just got out of jail yesterday and I’m trying to get back together with my partner and two sons. Pray for that.” Or, “Pray for me, my dearest friend died last week.” Or even, “Can you pray I’ll win the lottery!” Or, “I can’t believe it. Yesterday I asked God, if you’re there, send somebody and you turn up!” Or, “No I’m ok thanks.”

All around the world, one of the simplest ways to engage someone in a conversation about Jesus by asking, “Is there anything I can pray for you right now?” It works for people you know and for people you’ve met for the first time.

I was out in the English town of Basildon with my mate Russell Godward. We approached a retired couple who wanted prayer. They’d just come from the hospital where the husband was getting his medication for depression sorted. I shared briefly about my own background with depression. Then he opened his heart and told how twelve months ago their daughter had succumbed to cancer leaving a husband and young family. As I prayed I felt God’s heart for this couple. I shared the gospel. They weren’t ready to take things further but as they drove away the husband looked at me and his face was beaming. God had done something in his life through a simple offer of prayer.

If the Good Shepherd is our model of pastoral ministry, shouldn’t we be out looking for lost sheep? Find a partner and go and do it. Discover that Jesus is already active in the lives of your friends, neighbors and the strangers you meet.

Don’t stop with prayer. If someone wants to know more, explain the gospel to them and invite them to read the Bible with you. Ask three questions: When could we meet? Where could we meet? Who else do you know who would be interested?

Remember, your imperfect start in making disciples always beats someone’s perfect, but untried model.