So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
Several years ago, God pointed my attention to this scripture as I was trusting Him for ways to reach the lost sheep of Israel. I had read this verse several times before, however, God used this occasion to remind me that trusting in our own abilities is sure to hinder our outreach to the unsaved. Consider what David said in Psalm 127 about building a house:
Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (Psalms 127:1)
David, here, is not saying we should be lazy. Instead, he is pointing our attention to the importance of God in our situation. In I Corinthians 3, Paul admitted that only God could bless our efforts in ministry.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” (I Corinthians 3:6-7)
Beloved, if we want to witness a great harvest of souls in Israel, we must learn to depend on the power of God. One of the ways the Bible teaches us to do that is through prayer. A soul-winner who prays is one who acknowledges his dependency on God’s grace and strength. Briefly, look with me at four ways that prayer can help us reach the lost sheep of Israel.
1.Prayer Gives Us Utterance and Boldness
“Utterance” and “boldness” are two of the top ingredients of effective evangelism. Sometimes we struggle with how to explain Scripture to people without inspiring arguments and conflict. It takes boldness to communicate our faith. Paul realized these problems and asked believers to pray for him and his team.
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:2-4)
Prayer lets you know what to say and the right way to say it. Best of all, it equips you with the boldness required for effective delivery.
2.Prayer Hastens the Work
It is normal to desire quick results. As long as we depend on God’s power, it is not out of place to desire quick results from our work in spreading the Gospel message. Prayer makes that possible!
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you. (II Thessalonians 3:1)
If you want the Gospel to spread rapidly to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, give yourself to continuous and heartfelt prayer.
3.Prayer Delivers Us From Opposition
Opposition from the unsaved should be expected to some extent. In reaching the lost sheep of Israel, opposition has reared its ugly head even from the Bible days! In Acts 4, Peter and John were jailed for preaching in the name of Yeshua. Even though that was discouraging, they wouldn’t back down. The Bible says they went to their company and prayed to God. Look at the results of their prayer below.
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)
Paul, who believed many years after that incident, also found prayer beneficial against opposition in his ministry. He said this about prayer:
And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. (II Thessalonians 3:2)
There is no opposition that prayer cannot handle. Instead of focusing on the resistance, intensify your prayers. The Bible says, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
4.Prayer Brings More Laborers to Join Us
We often complain about the apathy of many believers towards spreading the Gospel in Israel. Even though the mandate to go into all the world was given to all believers, some still believe it is the duty of a selected few to evangelize. Without any remorse, some will even say, “God saved my soul; let Him save their souls too.” I’m glad to say that prayer can change your narrative. Look at what Yeshua told His disciples about this issue.
Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
Our prayer can bring more laborers to join us in harvesting souls for the Lord in Israel.
Wrap Up
Prayer goes beyond a spiritual faith-exercise to grow as soul winners. It is a vital weapon to include in our spiritual arsenal. Heartfelt and continuous prayer is essential to reaching the lost sheep of Israel.