Week 3 || Day 3

PRAYER FOCUS: THE LOST

Samuel used to think that drones were pretty lame. He didn’t get the appeal. While he didn’t go so far as to mock people who liked drones, they just weren’t his thing. He might watch some drone footage here or there, but it never piqued his interest.

Then someone bought Samuel a drone as a gift. At first he thought maybe he’d return it and use the money for something else. But then he decided to take it out and give it a try.

Less than a week later, I (Becca) knew that if I couldn’t find Samuel he was probably working on or flying his drone. He would hook it up to his iPad and all the kids could stand around as Samuel flew the drone over our neighborhood, high above the trees, until he could see something interesting. He’d spy on turkeys and deer, hovering lower and lower until they would be spooked and run off. In the summer, he’d take the drone on the boat and direct it to follow the tubing kids as they flew across the wake and crashed into each other. He was hooked. He could spend hours flying the drone, and time flew. It was suddenly enjoyable. He came to the realization that it wasn’t flying drones that he hated. It was just watching others fly them.

So what made the difference? Participation. The worth of activities shouldn’t be judged by spectating, but by participating.

Prayer is much the same. Prayer is not meant to be a spectator event. Prayer is meant for participation. When we step into prayer, it will not take long to realize that it is an easy way to spend our time. And one way that we can pray effectively, is for those who do not yet know the love of God.

Illustration: Jim Elliot was one of the martyred missionaries in 1956. He was a passionate Christian who journaled many of his thoughts and prayers. One such entry addressed his concern about impact. He wrote, “Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.” His impact continues on even though he died over fifty years ago at the age of twenty-nine.

- Elisabeth Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty

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Kids SEEK, too!

Kids’ Illustration:

Last night I took a journey

To a land far "cross the seas;

I didn't go by boat or plane,

I trusted on my knees.

I saw so many people there

In deepest depths of sin,

And Jesus told me I should go

That there were souls to win.

But I said, "Jesus, I can't go

And work with such as these.'

He answered quickly, "Yes, you can

By traveling on your knees.'

He said, "You pray; I'll meet the need,

You call and I will hear;

Be concerned about lost souls,

Of those both far and near.'

And so I tried it, knelt in prayer,

Gave up some hours of ease;

I felt the Lord right by my side

While traveling on my knees.

As I prayed on and saw souls saved

And twisted bodies healed,And saw God's workers? strength renewed

While laboring on the filed.

I said, "Yes, Lord, I have a job

My desire Thy will to please;

I can go and heed Thy call

By traveling on my knees.'

-Sandra Goodwin

Kids’ Activities for Today’s Prayer Focus:

• Have kids spin a globe and spend some time looking up “Christians in __________”, “Christian Missionaries in ______________________”, “how to pray for Christians in _______________________.” Then spend some time praying.

• Download this Global Prayer Guide from Voice of the Martyrs

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Bible:

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” (Colossians 4:3 NIV)

“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,  because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” (I Thessalonians 1:4-5 NIV)

“You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” (2 Corinthians 3:3 NIV)

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Quote for Today:

"...Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons -- but they are helpless against our prayers.” - Sidlow Baxter

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Points to Ponder:

• Be mindful as you pray for the lost that you not make them an item to check off your list, but see them as people that God created in His image, who are already dearly loved by Him.

• Head to our Missions Page to see how Life West supports boots-on-the-ground ministries that are working to reach the lost daily.

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CLOSING PRAYER: Father God, today we come before you on behalf of those who do not yet know you. We ask, Lord, that you would continue to reveal yourself to them through your world and Your Word, as those you love share it. Father, we thank you that you would place people who love you on the paths of those who have yet to know you. We ask that you would help those believers to develop relationships and give them insight and discernment as they walk alongside the lost. We pray that as the Gospel is shared, hearts may be softened to the truth of your Word and the life-saving sacrifice of Jesus. We pray for strength and integrity for the believers who share the gospel. We ask that you would allow them to walk as a guide and be beacons that point toward you. We pray for boldness for believers to share your Word and we pray for boldness for the lost to receive it. We ask for clarity as your message is shared with unbelievers and we ask that you would help to make the soil of their heart ready for the message of your love so that the cares of the world do not choke out Your Word. We pray for conviction of sin and for open eyes. And most of all, Father, we pray that they would develop a deep walk with you that Satan cannot snatch away. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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