Our most basic core beliefs determine our identity and our destiny.  Those central ideas control how we perceive the world around us. 

Our modern world abounds with both positive and negative illustrations of the principle.  Jorge Crespo’s God-given concept of prison reform transformed the lives of hundreds of men.  Similarly, a false idea can have incredibly destructive power.  A gun or bomb may kill a few people in one place and time; but an idea can murder millions.  An idea can stretch across national boundaries, oceans, and centuries to continue either to bless or destroy.

“First, God, that my worldview would align with Yours…”

¡  Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

¡  2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

¡  Ask God to reveal to you what you really believe about issues of ultimate reality.  Be reminded that His kingdom agenda desires for all people to come to faith in Him and live with Him forever.  As you pray, ask for His heart which beats for people to become your heartbeat as well.

“Next, that I would truly believe in the power of the gospel”

¡  Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, 

¡  Pray that He would renew your hope in the power of the gospel.  Do you really and truly believe that God’s message-His plan of salvation-can change people’s forevers?

“That You would open doors for me today…”

¡  Colossians 4:3-4 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

¡  Pray this same prayer for yourself and for others

“That I would allow the Spirit to direct everything I do and say”

¡  Galatians 5:25  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 

¡  Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption

¡  Be reminded that words carry meaning.  Big meaning!  Ask God to rein in your tongue.  Ask Him to remind you of the power you carry with your words.  Ask Him for more, more wisdom in this regard.  As you lean into the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, pray that you will think, speak, and move in accordance with his design for each and every interaction you have.

“That You would silence the voices of doubt”

¡  1 Corinthians 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

¡  Pray that God would silence the voices of doubt that seek to dishearten, dismantle, and destroy.  Ask Him to remind you that your evangelistic efforts are not a self-image booster.  Pray that He would keep you intentions focused on other people, not seeking to fulfill something in you, but rather to fulfill the greatest something in them-their need for God.

“That I would persevere until the end…”

¡  1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

¡  Pray that you would be willing to pay the price of time and energy, remembering the price Christ paid for you; and that the peace of Philippians 4:7-peace that goes beyond human understanding-would flood your spirit.  Pray that you would be open to being used in new and different ways to lead people to faith in Him; and that other Christ-followers would play the role they are supposed to play in people lives.  Pray that hearts would melt, people would be changed, and heaven-bound eternities would be secured.

“Finally, that I would devote myself to being a walk-across-the-room person”

¡  1 Corinthians 9:22-23 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. ²³ I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

¡  Tell God that you are ready to be an instrument for good.  Ask Him how He desires to magnetize people to His message of grace, using you as a mouthpiece.  And pray that eternities would dramatically shift as a result of your simple steps pointing people toward faith.