Prayer Evangelism
Are you eager for change and seeking a new way to connect with those in need? Prayer evangelism can create opportunities for you to minister to others more effectively than ever before. Consider embracing a transformative lifestyle by incorporating prayer evangelism into your daily routine. Not only will it impact those around you, but it will also bring about personal change in your own life!
A Bit of Background
In 1988, Ed Silvoso and Harvest Evangelism began collaborating with pastors and ministry leaders in the northern Argentine city of Resistencia to spread the kingdom of God. At that time, there were only 5,143 believers attending church among the 70 congregations in a population of 400,000, and the city was often referred to as a "spiritual cemetery."The effort to reach the city started with deep repentance within the Body of Christ, as pastors and leaders confronted the long-standing divisions that had seriously affected the history of the Gospel in the area. This led them to address issues of apathy and indifference, both toward one another and toward their city.
In 1990, a significant movement of intercession was launched with the goal of "filling up the city" with the knowledge of the Lord Jesus through prayer for every resident. "Lighthouses of Prayer" (or "Casas Luz de Oración") emerged throughout the city, where believers began praying for their neighbors at home, in schools, and in workplaces. Pastors also started choosing professionals and political leaders as their "neighbors" to pray for, which ultimately gave rise to what became known as Prayer Evangelism.
What is Prayer Evangelism?
Prayer Evangelism is talking to God about your neighbours before you talk to your neighbours about God. It is the implementation of 1 Timothy 2:1-8 where we are exhorted to pray for everyone in a region because God wishes all men to be saved; because Jesus Christ gave Himself in ransom for all; and because God wants us to pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and dissension"
How to do it:
Prayer evangelism is not a program, but a process that reflects a lifestyle in which you, and the Church in your city, is mobilized through prayer to become the spiritual caretaker of a city. Prayer Evangelism is an effective way of reaching, and blessing friends, neighbours, and workmates with the love and presence of Jesus Christ through a lifestyle of blessing, praying, and sharing. It is based on the Biblical principles we found in Luke 10 when Jesus sent out the 70. The results of that were outstanding, as we can see by their report back.
Try this at home:
Prayer Evangelism is the application of the model for evangelism that Jesus gave to the 70 in Luke chapter 10, where He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, the workers are few…Go!" …and do four things to lost people:
1. Bless them - Speak peace to them. (v.5)
2. Fellowship with them - Build relationships with them. (v.7)
3. Minister and pray with them - Respond to their felt needs. (v.9a)
4. Share the gospel with them and proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near to them through Jesus Christ. (v.9b)
"Prayer Evangelism is reaching every person and bringing every household in touch with the power and love of God through prayer. It is the whole church reaching the whole city with the whole gospel." - Ed Silvoso
Prayer Evangelism Resources for Communities
Reaching a city for Christ through Prayer Evangelism
Paradigms for reaching a city through prayer evangelism
Monitoring prayer evangelism in your city
How to strategically implement prayer evangelism to reach your city
10 Ten Paradigm Shifts Toward Community Transformation by Eric Swanson