“Could you pray for us?” asked the French woman sitting next to me on the airplane. We were experiencing violent turbulence. Just minutes earlier this med student and I had been having a lively discussion about God and science. With my broken French and her broken English, I had used a Chinese-English pamphlet to share the good news about Jesus with her. To my new friend, the gospel message seemed like a fairy tale; but when our airplane began to dip and shake, her inclination was to ask God for help, allowing me the opportunity to share my faith and pray with her.
Sharing the good news is a great privilege. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul describes his passion for sharing God’s plan to rescue people from the effects of sin and spiritual death through faith in Jesus (Romans 1:15-17). He was not at all ashamed; rather, he was compelled to share the gospel.
On another occasion, Paul was in the public square in Athens speaking “to all who happened to be there” (Acts 17:17). As a result, he was asked by the high council of the city to tell them about this new teaching. This gave him the amazing opportunity to share with those who believed in many gods about “the Lord of heaven and earth, [who] doesn’t live in man-made temples and . . . gives life and breath to everything” (Acts 17:24-25).
Followers of Jesus today continue to have the privilege and challenge to share His good news with those they meet (1 Peter 3:15). At times, as with the woman on my flight, people may even call out to us for spiritual help. May we prayerfully and intentionally look for God-provided bridges to the gospel in everyday situations. As we listen to those around us and carefully take in their stories, God will open doors for us to share His good news.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 19:1-21
More:
Read Acts 17:22-31 to understand what Paul faced when he shared the good news with “religious people” in Athens.
Next:
In what circumstances might you be reluctant to share the good news with someone? How can you prepare to share the hope you have in Jesus? (1 Peter 3:15).
don777 on April 20, 2017 at 5:11 am
Please pray for my grandson Jacob, he is going to have surgery on his heart. Please pray first for his spiritual heart that he would accept Jesus as his lord & savor. He is 17. Thank you +>i
Gary Shultz on April 20, 2017 at 5:31 am
Yes, thank you, we pray for this young man and his spiritual and physical heart.
suny219 on April 20, 2017 at 8:33 am
Praying.
Tom Felten on April 20, 2017 at 8:35 am
Praying for Jacob, may God heal his heart both physically and spiritually, Don. I have a son with the named Jacob. I can only imagine the concern Jacob’s parents and all of you are experiencing at this time. May God provide His peace and comfort as only He can!
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 20, 2017 at 9:24 am
I’m praying that God would touch your grandson, Jacob, and be with you all during this difficult time. May God give wisdom to the doctors and supply everything needed for the surgery to go well. I pray Jacob will realize the need for a spiritual surgery on his heart as well.
sandy229 on April 20, 2017 at 9:39 am
I am praying for him.
darylcrisp on April 20, 2017 at 11:33 am
Praying for him Donn
Gary Shultz on April 20, 2017 at 5:49 am
Hi Estera: Please forgive me last time you wrote I spelled your name wrong at the end. Since I have great hope you will do that, I will continue. I enjoyed the way the last paragraph was worded. I am often “reluctant” to initiate direct speech about the good news. Often the atmosphere is rather crude and sometimes it’s what you don’t say as opposed to what you do. Sometime I do feel living it precedes speaking it. I also like that you included praying for opportunities. On occasion it seems like the water parts and a great path of opportunity opens. I believe God will lead and open doors, we need to be ready and willing. Of course, if in conversation an opening arrives we should be ready to share what God has done for us. But every day in every way we should be ready. Forced entries don’t seem to work well for me, having a clever comment or trapping statement does not work as a gift delivery, for me. Thanks Estera
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 20, 2017 at 9:30 am
Hi Gary, you are forgiven, don’t worry about it :). I’m glad you enjoyed the article. I think all of us have difficulty at times proclaiming the Gospel verbally. I definitely agree that sometimes, the best thing to do is allow Jesus to shine through our lives, rather than speak. Yet, as you say, God gives us opportunities every day, if we are willing to walk in them. What helps me at times, when I’m situation where I know the Holy Spirit is nudging me to say something and I feel reluctant, I take the focus off of my apprehension and onto my great, awesome, amazing, incredible God. I pray God would give me love for this person as He loves this person. And, in obedience and with wisdom, I say what I feel I need to.
conmeo on April 20, 2017 at 7:28 am
Good morning Fellow ODJ brothers and Sisters! Sharing the Good News is indeed a great honor and promise. Love the example of Paul at Athens when he pointed out the HIs God is not unknown. May we all be so bold and understand to approach those who need The Word in a manner acceptable to God and in a language they can understand. Today I ask for prayer for one of such as these. Sequoia and family, I attempted in a manner that was not received in the spirit it was given. Rejection and anger have been the result. Lack of reconciliation, the Reconciliation of the Cross is a difficult burden to bear. Lord Jesus lift up this family and give us wisdom to be like Paul and the women on this plane and share the Good News in Your language so it may be lovingly received and Your Grace fill each of our cup of blessing. The Peace of God be with you all.
Tom Felten on April 20, 2017 at 8:37 am
Praying with you and for you, conmeo. Yes, may the Holy Spirit guide you as you strive to achieve reconciliation in this relationship. And may those you’re reaching out to see the beauty of Christ within you!
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 20, 2017 at 9:34 am
Conmeo, God is with you and dwells in you. He is your shepherd, He renews your strength, He guides you along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even though Sequoia and his family did not receive well what you shared, I pray the seeds that were planted will bear fruit. I pray against the attacks of the Enemy who does not want this family to come to a saving faith in Jesus.
bperez on April 20, 2017 at 9:49 am
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
sandy229 on April 20, 2017 at 9:51 am
I bought these booklets from ODB, Amazing Grace, which were 10 inspiring stories, and I took them with me in hopes of sharing them with my jeep group when we went away for the weekend. I spent a lot of time alone in our Motor Home because I wasn’t feeling well, and I didn’t like the way some of them were talking, I mean it seemed like they couldn’t say anything without using cuss words, so I prayed for an opportunity to share God’s love with them. I left these booklets on our table next to our Motor home and noticed that nobody took one so I handed them out to everyone, and they took it willingly and even said, Thank you. So I believe this is a start. The Christian couple that usually goes with us were not there, and I have given them booklets before because I knew they were Christians and would enjoy these. I just prayed that these others would receive these. Only one person said she didn’t want it because she doesn’t go to church and I told her it didn’t matter, she would like this anyway, but she was still reluctant to accept one. However, she said her grandaughter who lives with her does go to church, and I had already given her one. So I am keeping these friends in prayer because I believe God led us to this group for a reason.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on April 20, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Hi sandy229, thank you so much for sharing this experience! It’s so exciting to see your faithfulness in reaching out to your friends who don’t know Jesus yet! I am so encouraged by your courage, patience and love toward your friends. Jesus’ love shines through you. May we all continue to allow God to use us for His glory!