Praying For The Gospel
Colossians 4:3-4
Psalms 2:8
New King James Version
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the negativity in the world, whether from social media, the news, or simply stepping outside? Then it got you yearning for everyone to hear the gospel, recognize their need for it, and embrace its message of hope and redemption.
If you have, then you have felt a glimpse of what God feels for the world. It is God’s desire as well that all men receive the gift of salvation which He has freely given to all. He desires to see all men come to the knowledge of the truth. He wants all men saved!
I Timothy 2:3-4
New King James Version
3 For 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.
The key to overcoming the darkness, conflicts, and disasters prevalent in today’s world lies not in legislation, discussions, or similar measures, but in cultivating a world of individuals whose hearts have undergone profound transformation. The message of Jesus offers the ultimate answer. The gospel is the answer!
From the moment sin made its entrance into the world, a trend towards decay and destruction began, escalating as society increasingly disregards God’s sovereignty, normalizing acts and actions contrary to His standards. However, God has offered a path to escape this spiral of darkness and despair by providing salvation. This incredible gift, however, would remain unknown if we do not preach it.
Romans 10:14
New King James Version
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
God has entrusted us with the mission to spread the gospel to every nation, and we must honor this duty through preaching and prayer. Today, our emphasis will be on utilizing prayer as a powerful instrument to realize God’s vision on earth.
Praying for the gospel’s expansion is a crucial strategy in this endeavor, as prayer can significantly influence whether people’s hearts are open to the message or closed off in rejection or hostility. Things can shift if there are men to pray!
Through prayer, we have the power to enforce God’s will on earth. The Apostles make us confident of this fact by giving us several examples and instructions for the churches to pray for the spread of the gospel.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
New King James Version
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,
2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
Acts 4:29-31
New King James Version
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled
together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Despite facing persecution and obstacles in spreading the gospel, the early Church remained undeterred, countering every challenge with prayer and preaching. In today’s world, we encounter similar opposition and various barriers that limit the gospel’s progress. Even in the hearts of men, there are strongholds and belief systems that they hold on tightly to that hinder their receptiveness to the word.
However, Paul appeals that amidst these difficulties and limitations, we should pray for the word of the Lord to run swiftly and be glorified. They trusted in the transformative power of prayer to tear down barriers, and we must embrace this belief if we wish to witness the widespread acceptance and prevalence of the gospel.
Colossians 4:3-4
New King James Version
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Additionally, Apostle Paul urged the church to pray for the opening of doors of opportunity, enabling the word to reach various places and regions more easily and effectively.
Ephesians 6:19
New King James Version
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Furthermore, we find prayers for courage and precision in proclaiming the gospel, ensuring that we present it faithfully as it is in the Scriptures, without altering it to cater to what people prefer to hear.
Matthew 9:37-38
New King James Version
37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
We ought to pray for more laborers for the harvest of souls as well. In doing this, we would be able to reach more nations with the gospel.
Hebrews 2:3-4
New King James Version
3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
Lastly, we observe from the scriptures that signs and wonders often accompanied the preaching of the gospel. The same Spirit that empowered those early believers for such miracles resides in us as well. Therefore, as we engage in preaching, let us pray earnestly that the power of God will be manifested through us.
God has given us a mandate to make disciples of nations and prayer is key to fulfilling it. Make it a burden to spend time praying for the spread of the gospel.
Prayer Point:
Father, we thank you for the privilege to partner with you for the spread of the gospel. We declare that in the nations of the world, the gospel grows mightily and prevails.