The Secret Weapon in the Evangelist’s Arsenal

“Dear God, save my sister, come into my cousin’s life, reveal yourself to my coworker Joann.”

Have you uttered these prayers on behalf of loved ones, colleagues, or neighbors? I have. Many times. I’ve prayed believing these prayers would yield great results. I awaited the next time I’d see them, expecting them to share they had heard the call of the Lord, repented, and committed their lives to our Savior. I imagined their conversion experience being a cute story of them feeling an urge one Sunday morning and finding the closest church or returning to their family church. Upon the Pastor’s invitation to come forward they boldly stood to proclaim their new found faith and dedication to a new life in Christ. Unfortunately, this rarely happened.

As believers, our hearts ache for those who have not yet encountered the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We long to see our unsaved loved ones, friends, and acquaintances come to know Him. While we are sincere, we have not approached the situation with the intensity it requires. In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer. He urges believers to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-20). The battle we are fighting is not one of mere flesh and blood but a spiritual battle. Therefore, it requires an intentional and intense effort to win.

Thankfully, we have access to the weapons of war needed to claim victory. Paul is careful to include the importance and place of prayer. Not just here but also in his letter to the Colossians (4:2-4). In physical battle soldiers are strategic in warfare, we must be the same when using the tools in our arsenal.

Below are 3 tips to waging war for the souls of the lost:

1. Take Aim

We must go into battle knowing who we are fighting. Jesus taught us that we must first bind the strong man before we can spoil his house (Matthew 12:29). In other words, we need to deal with the spiritual forces hindering our loved ones. If your loved one is battling addiction, sickness, or trauma from past hurts these must be addressed (2 Corinthians 4:4). The strongholds must be broken for their eyes and ears to be open to hear the good news. If you are unaware of what is blinding them from the Gospel you may pray and ask God to reveal to you what is keeping them bound, what to pray for, and how to set them free.

2. Take Authority

As we step into the battlefield, we often face feelings of inadequacy or fear. Like the early disciples, we need boldness to proclaim the gospel. We must pray with boldness and absolute belief in the words of Scriptures, God’s authority and heart for the lost, and our ability to intercede on their behalf. Identify scriptures that declare your power and authority as a believer. Have these ready in moments of doubt and fear.

3. Take Action

Prayer is our most formidable weapon. When we pour our prayers into heaven, the forces of darkness weaken. James wrote, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray… And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven… The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:13-16)

As you pray, trust that God’s Word will not return void. It will accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:11). Keep interceding, believing that the salvation of your loved ones is within reach.

God’s Word is powerful and effective. Use Scripture in your prayers:

• Pray for the light of the Gospel to shine in their hearts (2 Corinthians 4:4).

• Ask God to send laborers into their lives (Matthew 9:37-38).

Prayer in evangelism is not an afterthought; it is the heartbeat of our mission. As we pray, let us trust that God will use our words, actions, and love to draw people to Himself.

May we continue to intercede for the lost, believing that prayer changes hearts and transforms lives.