The most-wanted list

Terry Teykl, a "prayer evangelist", tells about meeting a woman with a "most-wanted" list.

Curious, he asked her about the list - titled "Most Wanted" - which had 10 names on it.  She said they were 10 people she was praying would become believers.  She prayed for them persistently, believing God would bring them to himself.

Teykl uses this story to urge listeners to follow her example.  God works with us in prayer to achieve his purposes - and one of the greatest of these is to bring unbelievers into his kingdom.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has a similar idea where pray-ers can keep a list of the people they wish to see become followers of Christ.

What is the value of a list?  If you keep the list close at hand, it is a reminder that you should bring your friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues before the Lord regularly.

I realize that my own list of neighbours and family is too small - just a handful.  I need to think big.

Will Davis, author of Pray Big, recommends:

• Never stop praying;
• Pray that Jesus will have compassion on your lost friends;
• Pray that Jesus will meet the unbelievers where they are - in their homes, places of work, or wherever - because many will never go near a church;
• Pray that Jesus will call them by name - speaking into their hearts to show his love for them as individuals; and
• Pray that Jesus will remove what binds them - whatever is holding them back from putting their faith in him.

Obviously, we must be ready to speak about Jesus when the opportunity comes.

Of course, persistence is key. A prayer list is no good unless we hang in there, convinced that God will act when the time is right.