How To Pray For The Lost And Bound

*****Sermon Outline*****

How To Pray For The Lost And Bound

(the role of the Holy Spirit in witnessing)

1) Pulling down the strong holds...

2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Begin to pull down the strong holds in the mind of the bound. These are the "arguments and reasonings of a disputant to defend his positions." Pray that the arguments they use to "shield" themselves from Jesus will seem foolish to them. Ask God to pull down the strong holds (lies) in their mind.

2) Let there be light...

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Ask God to let the light of the glorious gospel (the truth) shine to the lost. The "mind blindnesses" are the strong holds of 2Cor.10:4. We need the demonic to cease in their hold so that the lost can make a decision for Christ. Ask God for that moment when they see their hopelessness and helplessness standing naked and without excuse before God. The light of the Gospel is that Jesus loved them, while they where yet sinners, enough to die in their place, and that salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned.

3) Turn away and trust Him...

Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Pray that their eyes would be opened, that they would turn from Satan unto God. This is bible repentance: to turn from trusting yourself for salvation to trusting Jesus Christ. They then may receive salvation (forgiveness of sins and the inheritance of eternal life).

4) Harvest Time!!!...

Mat 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Pray the Lord of the harvest would send laborers into their lives. Everywhere they turn they will run into

a witness. Ask God to send people who will speak into their lives the love of God and the gospel.