How Do I Pray for Them?Sample

Step 3 – PRAY FOR BOLDNESS

What has stood in the way of you sharing your story?

Perhaps you’ve believed:

● My story isn’t the right story

● My story is a mess

● My story is too different or not different enough

● No one cares to hear my story

● My story is uninteresting

● My story could never make an impact

Or perhaps you’ve wanted to share your story, and share about Jesus, but you’re not sure you have the right words. You want to reveal hope to those who desperately need hope, but you’re worried about saying something wrong, awkward, or pushy. Or perhaps have felt, “I just don’t want to mess this up!”

Good news: You can’t mess this up. The hardest part is already finished. Jesus has already come to earth and defeated death. All we have to do is let people know. We’re actually God’s "Plan A" in letting people know. And He wants us to use our stories to do so. He wants to empower us with words that will be clear, gracious, and understood by those who will hear them.

In Colossians, we’re given an example of praying for the right words to share with others, and praying for boldness when we do.

Sometimes, we want to wait until our story is perfect, or until we can convey it perfectly. The truth? God wants to use our real stories to reveal the real power of Jesus. In fact, the details of your life story– who you are, what you love, and all that you’ve been through–are exactly what God wants to use in this exact moment in time. Perfect words are not required. You are free to be who you are, and tell the truth of your story.

We don’t want to shy away from sharing the hope found in Jesus. And we don’t want to say statements that sound super-spiritual but don’t serve people where they really are. Instead, let’s pray for confidence to say what God wants us to say. Let's pray that we say it with such clarity and compassion, that it’s genuinely understood by those who need to hear the good, important, life-changing news about Jesus.

PRAY FOR BOLDNESS

Pray for God to give you courage as you share your story and the story of Jesus. Pray that He gives you the right words. Each person you speak to has their own unique lens through which they see themselves, God, and the world. Pray that you are clear in sharing the good news about God’s love with them in a way they will receive and understand.

REFLECT

What fears hold you back from being bold and sharing the story of Jesus? What holds you back from sharing your own story? Surrender your fears to God, and ask Him to give you courage to share what He’s done in your life, even through your own fumbling. Think of parts of your story that you might stretch yourself to share with one person.

PRAYER

God, today I pray for a fresh boldness in sharing who you are with those around me. Reveal to me what has been holding me back. Help me not to be ashamed of my story, but to share the parts that you want me to. Give me clarity of thought and mind so I would have the right words at the right time. Amen.