Prayer

by Pastor Grant E. Christensen

Introduction

Several years ago, I presented to the congregation I serve a series of sermons on prayer and evangelism. Given below are the scripture texts for those sermons followed by a more or less short reflection on how one might use them in prayer for a more effective life of sharing the gospel. Also, I have included a few more passages that I hadn’t included in that series. These are not meant to be steps to evangelism, nor is the list of texts meant to be exhaustive. Rather, I see them as prayer strategies that become part of a way of life--a life devoted to seeing the lost found.

by Grant E. Christensen

I have the privilege of serving the congregation of Grace Covenant Church of Bremerton—for over 25 years now. After several years of pastoring the congregation, I commiserated with colleagues that I did not know very many people in our community outside the church. Serving a small church can be all-consuming, yet I have enjoyed my work very much! In 2011, I began a sermon series on Communion Sundays entitled “Prayer and Evangelism,” focusing on the vital role of prayer in reaching lost people. While conversing about the series with a friend and colleague, Rev. Doug Olson, who is pastor of Hope Covenant Church in Tacoma, he mentioned, “You need to look at the verses in 2 Corinthians 10 about spheres.” So, after finishing our call, I looked up the passage: