Lost Prayer Equals Lost Sheep

Lost Prayer Equals Lost Sheep

Luke 15:4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Luk 15:5 And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Luk 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

How do we begin to reach the lost?

Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled.

However,

George Barna said, "A Church that strives to evangelize its community without saturating its efforts in prayer is like a race car driver that jumps into a car at the starting line and discovers that the tank has not been filled with gas."

Barna’s analogy is accurate. I believe the reason that many of our evangelistic efforts seem to bear so little fruit is that we have failed to pray effectively for the lost.

How many hours would you be willing to pray if you knew it would save a soul?

I saw a $50 bill save a soul. But her time spent in prayer allowed her to hear the voice of the Lord, it wasn’t really the $50 bill it was her obedience and hearing ear. How many of you would quickly come up with some $50 bills if I said to you for every $50 bill you place in the offering plate I will guarantee you a saved loved one.

In her book, "A Time to Pray God’s Way", Evelyn Christenson says, "We have failed to sufficiently involve God - through prayer - in our soul-winning efforts. In pre-evangelism praying, we ask the omnipotent God of the universe to reach down and work in people’s lives before we do. And what a difference such praying makes!

If we are going to make an evangelistic impact on our community, we need to learn how to talk to God about people before we talk to people about God. When we do this, we depend on our sovereign Lord to work in, through, and with us as we evangelize to the lost.

Today, much attention has been given to the development of new methods for reaching the lost. We want to effectively share Christ with the lost. However, unless believers and churches begin to effectively pray for lost people before, during, and after they evangelize, little fruit will be produced from their many labors.

I don’t have time. Walk, shower, toilet, driving, worrying, complaining,

I have enough problems of my own to worry about some elses problems. That is exactly what the devils plan is and if it continues to work, he will continue to do it.

He the enemy can keep you so self involved he won’t have to worry about you becoming involved in the works of the Lord.

WHY PRAY FOR THE LOST

A. It Is biblical

Charles H. Spurgeon put prayer’s role in evangelism in proper perspective: "Remember that prayer is effectual with God . . . Are we not getting weary of living in this world among so many who are going to hell? Is it not terrible to think that after all the church is doing, thousands are being lost every day? We ought to bestir ourselves for men’s souls, and we cannot do better for them than by praying for them. Let us, therefore, bestir ourselves in prayer."

1. God’s word urges us to pray for the lost.

I Timothy 2:1-4, "I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth

The passage points to the priority of prayer for the lost when it says "first of all." It also demonstrates that God desires for believers to be involved in praying for ALL men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth." Salvation is always God’s will!

2. Jesus specifically commands us to pray for and seek out the lost..

Mark 16:15-20And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.