Prayer Evangelism

Pray and Change Someone's Life on the Other Side of the World

Prayer evangelism is the practice of strategically and intentionally using prayer to influence the spiritual atmosphere and open people's hearts to the Christian gospel. It is the belief that prayer, not just human effort, is the ultimate source of spiritual fruitfulness in evangelism.

Core principles

Spiritually preparing the "soil":
Prayer is viewed as a way to till the soil of a person's heart and spiritual environment before sharing the gospel. This can make them more receptive to God's message when it is eventually shared. Relying on the Holy Spirit: Prayer evangelism recognizes that only God can transform a heart and bring a person to salvation. It asks the Holy Spirit to move in the life of the non-believer, remove their spiritual blindness, and convict them of sin.

Intercession for the lost:
It involves fervently praying for individuals, communities, and nations to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

Opening opportunities:
Christians pray for God to open doors for conversation and for boldness to speak when the opportunity arises, rather than waiting for a sign.

Connecting prayer and action:
This approach asserts that prayer for the lost should not be separated from physically engaging with them. It is a dual strategy of "talking to God about people, and then talking to people about God".

Practical applications

Prayer walking:
This involves walking through a community, neighborhood, or city while silently praying for the people who live and work there.

Prayer canvassing:
This method involves going door-to-door to meet people, get to know their prayer requests, and pray for their stated needs. Following up on these requests helps build relationships.

Strategic intercession:
Churches or individuals can pray for specific groups, such as community leaders, unreached people groups, or people attending an evangelistic event.

Praying for "felt needs":
This approach involves praying for a non-believer's perceived needs—like healing, finances, or family relationships. When God answers these prayers, it can open their eyes to the reality of God's power and make them more receptive to the gospel.

Relational prayer:
For friends and family, prayer evangelism includes intentionally building loving relationships and praying for them specifically. A specific prayer might be for the person to have a heart that desires God, to gain faith, or to become humble before God.

Prayer for oneself:
Christians also pray for themselves to be filled with Christ-like compassion, boldness, and courage to speak the truth when God provides an opening.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
--Philippians 4:6

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
--1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.
-- Colossians 4:2

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. -- James 5:16b (NKJV)

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers...
-- 1 Peter 3:12