POWER EVANGELISM PRAYER OUTREACH IN THE COMMUNITY

Healing Wells

*** Digging the Wells of Healing ***

POWER EVANGELISM

PRAYER OUTREACH IN THE COMMUNITY

By Hamilton and Helena Filmalter

WHAT IS A PRAYER OUTREACH IN THE COMMUNITY?

The purpose is to seek and save the lost by going door to door in a simple but powerful way. Our intro line is, "We're from Living Water Assembly (say the name of YOUR church) and we're doing a prayer outreach in the community. Is there anything we can pray for?"
If the person can't think of anything, ask "Is there anyone sick in the house? What about your job or family? Is there anything you need God's help with?"
Not every house has a crises, so if there is still no response, ask whether you can pray a blessing over the house.

Once you know what to pray for, ask the person's name, and pray like you mean it. Ask whether you can take hands - a point of contact is important. Pray with faith. Pray prophetic prayers. This is power evangelism. The answer to your prayer will be a sign to them that God is alive and that He cares about them.

After you have prayed, ask a transition question to share the gospel, e.g.
"Do you sometimes think about spiritual things?" Mostly the answer will be "Yes". Then ask "Do you sometimes think what will happen to you when you die? Will you go to heaven?
Or be more direct,
"If you should die right now, are you sure that you would go to heaven?

If they answer yes, they will go to heaven, ask them why God would allow them in. It is very important to establish what they base their hope on. If the answer revolves around good works, share the message of the cross and lead them to the Lord.

Now it's time to share the gospel and pray the sinners prayer.

WHY DOOR TO DOOR?

The harvest is people and people live in houses. Most Americans do not live in a park or in a prison. If you minister to a person in his house, you immediately know more about his circumstances and know exactly where to follow him up.

What kind of neighborhoods should we target?

All people, rich and poor alike, need the Lord. It is not necessary to start with the poorest part of town. Start with the neighborhood around the church and move on the kinds of neighborhoods your people are from. Try different neighborhoods and focus your effort where the harvest is ripest. The harvest is people accepting the Lord AND becoming part of the church.
It is best not to start out in neighborhoods made up of New Agers and alternative life styles. We speak from experience - we have spent many months ministering in such a neighborhood, and saw very little fruit. The people, though friendly, were hard hearted due to the very definite choices they have made not to serve the Lord. Of course this is subject to change as the Spirit moves, but start out by putting your effort into regular families.

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO GO OUT?

Any time really, just as it suits your people. Saturday morning, 10 to 12, or on a week night, 6 - 8 PM or Sunday evening if you don't have church. Teach for about 20 min, pray together, and be out by 6:30. Be back at the church by 8:00 and share the evening's testimonies. This is the best part of it all! By 8:30, the team goes home.

HOW DO WE DRESS?

Clean and casual - the type of clothes you would wear shopping on a Saturday - walking shorts, jeans, etc. Just be yourself. Best not to wear your Christian T-shirt - the person opening door must be able to identify with you.

HOW DO WE DIVIDE THE TEAMS?

Go in groups of three, so that you are not mistaken for Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses. This will only put up defenses before you even start talking. Have men and women in a group. This is for safety reasons, as well as to put the person opening the door at ease. If a woman opens the door, a woman in the group speaks first and vice versa. Groups of three also give those who are more timid an opportunity to go along and learn - there are two others who can do the talking.

WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN ON THE TEAMS?

By all means! We have had kids as young as 7 of 8 tag along, as long as they can walk the distance. An older teenager can count as one of the three adults.

WHAT ABOUT FOLLOW UP?

This is very important. Always ask whether you can come back, whether they accepted the Lord or not. When you go out, first visit the houses where you were received before. Ask about the needs you prayed for - we expect God to have answered. The purpose of the gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit are to make Jesus known. Continue going back as long as the door remains open.

DO WE INVITE THEM TO CHURCH?

It is very important to be part of a local church. The harvest needs to be gathered. Put effort into getting the newly saved to church. So too with those who have become disconnected with church, but want to return to the Lord or Christians who are new in town.
Always extend the invitation to come to church to those who are not yet ready to accept the Lord. They need to know where to come when they are ready - the conviction of the Holy Spirit can make life quite unbearable!
Encourage and bless the Christians who are faithful members elsewhere.

DO WE HAND OUT LITERATURE?

Handing out literature is not the primary purpose, but it supports what we're doing. A tract explaining salvation for someone who has just accepted the Lord is appropriate. Once they've accepted the Lord, ask whether they have a bible. Bringing a Bible is a good follow-up. A card with the church name and service times is good for those without a church home. Those who know the Lord and are committed in a local church don't need literature.

HOW DO WE KEEP TRACK?

Make notes as you go along (see attached form), but never leave the impression that a person is just a name on a list. They need to feel genuine care. Do not fill out the form on the porch. Do it discretely in the street, out of sight from the person you have just spoken to. Record the house number, the person's name and what you prayed for. Add more detail once you're back at the church.

To Print this out click HERE.

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