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quest for truth
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479

Posted 10/16/2004 10:23 AM (GMT -6)

Often times I encounter people (total strangers) who seem to have a need to talk. I listen to their stories as they are ringing up my groceries, waiting on my table at a restaurant, are standing in line at the movies…. Lately I’ve discovered something about myself through all of this that I am not happy with. I am fearful to let strangers know that I will be praying for them because I fear what feelings or thoughts this might trigger. I fear that they will lose faith in God if God’s answer is “no” or “wait“ if they know the situation has been covered in prayer? After all, what will the person think of God if I tell them I will pray for a situation that doesn’t go their way? Hence, at the end of conversations I always end up saying an encouraging word but never that I will be praying for them, even though that is what I do.

For instance, a young guy was ringing up my groceries the other day. He began to share with me how his teller was off and that he would probably lose his job at the end of the day. He looked very distressed. I said what I could to encourage his spirits but neglected to tell him that I would pray. I left feeling a bit sad that I had missed an opportunity to evangelize. We evangelize through love but without the words and hope of Christ the person doesn’t know where the source of that love comes from.

Has anyone else struggled with this and if so what has helped? Does anyone have any feedback or advice that might be of help for me? Thank you!

spenlake
Registered Member

Date Joined Jan 2004
Total Posts : 1050

Posted 10/16/2004 11:33 AM (GMT -6)

quote:
Quest: We evangelize through love but without the words and hope of Christ the person doesn’t know where the source of that love comes from.

Amen! And without offering this explanation we are no more a "witness" than an optimistic atheist. I think that we all must experience this at one time or another. When I was in YWAM's School of Evangelism we were taught techniques and practiced our "sales pitch." While I don't think it was a "sin," I am not sure that this is what being a "witness" means. I was being taught more to sell Christianity than to speak the hope of the gospel.

If Paul could be pleased with malicious people speaking the gospel out of bad motives and have hope that the message would still accomplish its purposes, perhaps it is the message that is more central than the appearance/attitude of the messenger? Maybe we just need to lead to the message.

If you want "practical advise" of what one might do in this situation I could give you something that I do now in similar situations. If someone asks me how I am doing I have begun responding "to good to complain" and meaning it. How much of even our "troubled lives" are blessed. I am not in Iraq. I have food at mealtimes. I am reasonably healthy. I sleep in a comfortable bed. As if this isn't enough, I have a place being prepared for me with a home that will never decay and where there will never be a tear shed. I usually don't get to the last portion and the basis for why there is a home being prepared for me (gospel) but this is where it leads. This same concept may help, but perhaps it is just silly and not applicable to your life.

Spen Lake

quest for truth
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479

Posted 10/16/2004 6:08 PM (GMT -6)

Spenlake

quote:
This same concept may help, but perhaps it is just silly and not applicable to your life.

Thank you for your response. Smile

I like the way you do evangelism!

My problem/question is how do I tell a stranger, or even a nonbeliever for that matter, that I will pray for them when in fact none of us know how God will answer? I know God either answers with yes/no/maybe but if the answer is no or maybe I fear the person may find my testimony of prayer nothing more than words or give them one more reason to resist God. Do you know what I mean?

quest for truth
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479

Posted 10/17/2004 4:14 AM (GMT -6)

Spenlake,
I have an idea inspired by what you shared with me. I believe from now on I will testify to the person (if it is appropriate) that what I do when I get into troubled waters is pray and trust that God will work all things out for the best even if I don't understand at the time. I believe this gives the person the opportunity and choice to ask more if they so choose. Thanks for the help! Smile

spenlake
Registered Member

Date Joined Jan 2004
Total Posts : 1050

Posted 10/17/2004 6:38 AM (GMT -6)

quote:
Quest: My problem/question is how do I tell a stranger, or even a nonbeliever for that matter, that I will pray for them when in fact none of us know how God will answer? I know God either answers with yes/no/maybe but if the answer is no or maybe I fear the person may find my testimony of prayer nothing more than words or give them one more reason to resist God. Do you know what I mean?

Obey what IS revealed and let what remains hidden in God be God's. We are commanded to share the gospel. I believe it is hidden in God how they respond. Whether is it an issue of "choice" or an issue of "God unilaterally granting faith," that is always being fought here, it doesn't matter to you or to me . God has commanded us to speak His gospel and the rest is really His problem (however it is expressed in the details).

If He hardens, then let Him. If He grants grace (or the listener chooses), then let Him. Regardless of how the hidden issues become manifest, we have our revealed commands. I remain grateful the it is the message of eternal life that is important. There was only one "good" messenger who brough it to us. We may be, and are, poor defective messengers (broken pots) but the message we bring has the power to bring eternal life.

Spen Lake

Similitude
Registered Member

Date Joined Apr 2004
Total Posts : 4968

Posted 10/17/2004 8:43 AM (GMT -6)

Quest,

quote:
Does anyone have any feedback or advice that might be of help for me? Thank you!

In the case you gave, I don't see how the guy could see your gesture as anything but kindness unless he was utterly dis-illusioned with religion in general. Even then, he would have appreciated the thought unless he was hard as a rock! Even atheists pray in foxholes. There was a survey done a while back - I was amazed at how many atheists pray!!!

wjs

quest for truth
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479

Posted 10/18/2004 6:51 PM (GMT -6)

jefscott

quote:
There was a survey done a while back - I was amazed at how many atheists pray!!!

I am amazed too!

My biggest struggle has been worrying about a stranger's theology and perhaps woundedness. I believe I will feel comfortable with suggesting how I handle situations the next time I am interacting with a stranger who seems to need prayer. I figure by doing this I am opening a door that they are free to pursue or close back up. And in any event I will silently still pray for them.

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