This weekend I have the privilege of speaking at a church retreat. Tomorrow I’ll be giving a workshop titled, “Praying Roots DOWN to Bear Fruit UP.” Prayer is such a key to bearing fruit, especially in our witness in the world as Christians. By no means am I an expert, but I’ve been learning some things about prayer and witness that may be helpful for you too.

God wants us to bear lots of fruit (as we’ll see from John 15).

There is a lot of fruit we could talk about bearing, but the fruit I want us to focus on here is the fruit of our witness as Christians in the world!

God wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves, right? for the most part that means people who do not go to church, who are not close to God, and who are different than us.

We might conclude that God wants to bear the fruit of influencing others who are far from Him, right???

Basic biblical foundation for Prayer and Witness

JOHN 15

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (vv. 7-8)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (v. 16)

James 4:2-3

You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Matt 7:7-11

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

COL 4:2-6

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Eph 6:18-20

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Spiritual Power Needed for Prayer and Witness

See my previous post, The Power You Need to Be a Witness for more.

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Ephesians 3:16-21

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

• Power is needed most in our character, the inner being (our will/mind/reasoning).
• We need power to grasp the magnitude of God’s love.
• The purpose of the power is love.
• What’s the purpose of the Christian life? Love God, love people!
• Witnessing is primarily the outward expression of love toward others! To DO that, we need supernatural love to break into and through us.

YBH? (yes.but.how)

Three principles are guiding my witness these days. ANYONE can implement these ANYWHERE, ANYTIME.

1. Pray UP

Before you’re in a situation with non-Christians… get ready… PRAY! Ask God for the power to love, listen to, and serve them according to the need.

2. Pray IN

Pray while you’re with people. Ask God for power. Ask for discernment and wisdom. Especially to be a good listener (maybe it’s just me!).

3. Pray OUT

Pray as you walk away from meeting people. Pray for the person/people. Ask for opportunities to follow-up, to love them, listen to them again, and serve them.

TIPS

1. Write out your prayers. My wife Laura does this in the mornings and it’s very helpful for her.
2. Use pictures. Keep a file of pictures of the people you’re praying for in an evernote file or other app. Take pictures of anything you’re praying for if that helps.
3. Change it up.Pray simple, 1-3 word prayers, go for prayer walks, pray with others in prayer circles.

QUESTION: what has helped you grow in prayer and in your witness as a Christian?