A Prayer for the Unsaved

By: Brian Marston

Two years ago, when the pandemic shutdown was just starting, we tried a lot of different things here at Shepherd Church to help keep people connected. Pastor Shawn Walden was sharing with some of the staff during that time about a website that helped him pray for his neighbors on a daily basis. I checked out www.blesseveryhome.com, found my neighborhood, and soon “adopted” 126 households that I would walk by every single day and I began to pray for the people in those houses.

I get a daily email with a list of five addresses and names with a short Bible verse to prompt the prayers. I have been praying for these houses every day now for nearly two years. I would love to tell you that I have several new members in my Life Group and much of the block has signed up for the baptism weekend … but that is not the case.  

Here is what has happened. I am learning people’s names. When I’m on my daily walk around the community, I intentionally look at people when they drive by in their cars and I give them a wave. If I see them outside, I wave and say “good morning!” Sometimes people will stop me and chat for a minute, but that doesn’t happen often. I now have people who will wave and smile at me from their cars before I can see them. I even say “good morning” to the various gardeners and they seem happy about that! It sounds silly but I think it has really lightened the mood in our little community. 

Why is this important? Everyone longs to be a part of a community. God made that inherent in us. Any activity that you can think of has a community built around it in one form or another. Sports, crafting, mechanics, Star Wars fans. ;) Every one of these activities have communities that help people to feel included. The Church was created to lead the charge of helping people to feel not only included, but loved, encouraged, and cared for.  

When I prayed this morning, here was the email prompt that I received: “Father, I praise and thank You for the power of Your Word and Holy Spirit to walk in wisdom, making the best use of the time. Let our neighbors see Christ in us, the hope of glory, and surrender themselves to Christ. Colossians 4:5”

That prayer is really about me allowing God to shine through me. How do I appear to people when they see me? Am I rushing around, all angry and annoyed? Am I speeding in my car up the quiet residential streets where children play? Am I a warm, friendly smile with a pleasant greeting? Am I available for a quick minute when people actually ask a question … whatever it may be? I have become very aware that I am God’s ambassador in all circumstances. I have experienced the grace and mercy of Jesus’ kingdom and I have a responsibility to be a reflection of that grace and mercy to others, especially in my neighborhood.  

It is not always easy. There are times when my time is limited and I really want to “get my steps in” before I move too deep into my day. But I want to be the kind of person that lets my neighbors see Christ in me. I want them to see someone who has a hope in his glory and someone who has surrendered himself to Christ. I want God to shine through me! 

This kind and gentle attitude opens doors to many different conversations down the road that God will use to plant his seeds, nurture and water that soil, and on occasion, reap the crops. People want a community that is safe and inviting. People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. As part of the Church, we are called to be safe and inviting to God’s kingdom, which is far bigger than any of us can imagine! And he uses us! He uses our approachable demeanor to start conversations and invite others to be a part of his kingdom.  

Maybe that invite is to a Shepherd Church service. Maybe it’s to your Life Group. Maybe it is simply an invite for a friendly conversation that isn’t judgmental, but kind and sympathetic … which will lead to future conversations because the person has experienced that you care for them.

What is God calling you to do as His ambassador?  

Brian Marston is on our Life Groups Team as a Pastor.