Bringing your friends to Jesus is a gift the Lord has given each person of faith. The Lord used someone to get you to Jesus. Each of us has a story of how the Lord called us to faith. 1 Cor. 3:6I (Paul) planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. [1] The Lord can use us to lead people to Him, but He is the one who draws them to faith.
Friends brought the Deaf Man to Jesus
A deaf man was blessed by having friends who cared for him. One day they put their caring into action when they brought him to Jesus. Mark 7:32 A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. [2]
These were special friends because they brought him to Jesus and interceded for him. Since this man had a speech impediment, communication with Jesus would have been difficult. The man’s friends showed their love for this man and their faith in Jesus to heal him. Jesus healed this man because of His compassion.
Mark 7:33 Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” 35 Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! [3]
Bringing Friends to Jesus Through Prayer
Sometimes we can’t bring friends to Jesus physically, but we can get them to Him through intercessory prayer. In our prayers, we can be persistent in asking the Lord and not give up. I remember a man telling his testimony where his mother prayed for years that he would come to know Jesus, and one day those prayers were answered. Who is the Lord placing on your heart to intercede for that needs to go to Jesus? You may be praying for someone to come to faith, heal a relationship, or another issue.
The Lord loves to work through his children because He wants to involve us in His work to build the Kingdom of God. Intercession develops our spiritual growth. Praying for others causes us to become more like Jesus, who spent many hours praying to His Father for others. As we pray for others, we are also strengthened. We can’t ask for God to soften someone’s heart without our hearts changing. We grow closer to God each time we pray for someone else.
To hear about bringing your friends to Jesus, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-caring-for-outcasts
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.