As we enter the second week of Pray for 5, I wanted to share with you a verse that has challenged me throughout the years.
In Romans 10:1, the first-century church planter Paul wrote, “Believe me, friends, all I want for Israel is what’s best for Israel: salvation, nothing less. I want it with all my heart and pray to God for it all the time" (The Message). It’s important to remember that Paul is a Jew himself; he was from a notable Israelite family and educated in the best Israelite schools. So, the thing he wants with all his heart and asks God to do is to save the people he grew up with, went to school with, and lived next to.
I remember first coming across this verse when I was in college. I was challenged when I read it. I had to ask myself, “Is my heart’s desire for people to get saved and am I praying for them?” The answer was no, so I started praying for the first person that popped into my head who wasn’t a Christ-follower. It was a very similar approach to what we are doing in Pray for 5. I made it a priority to daily ask God to soften my friend's heart, provide opportunities for him to hear the gospel, and then for him to make the decision to follow Jesus.
Guess what happened? My friend decided to follow Jesus! That was one of the coolest answers to prayer I have ever seen.
I am praying that you will see similar things happen as you Pray for 5.
