The worker whose supreme desire and passion is to be used in co-operation with the Holy Spirit in the winning of men to Christ must master in some degree the holy art of intercession. If the Master wept and prayed over lost souls, then His servant must do the same. Prayer must occupy a preeminent place in the soul-winner’s program, for the salvation of the soul is not a human, but a divine work.
If prayer occupies so important a place, it follows that whatever hinders us in its exercise must be sacrificed. Any price is worth paying which will make us more powerful in prayer. If God is to answer our prayers, we must be sure that we are standing on praying ground. The Psalmist warns: “If I regard (cling to) iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Ps. 66:18), let alone answer me. Before we are on true praying ground, we must have renounced every sin about which the Holy Spirit has convicted us. Have you done this, or is there a controversy between your soul and God? You will know when the last thing has been dealt with.
Then it is necessary that we have a heart at leisure from itself and its own concerns, a heart that is able to bear the burden of souls and to travail for them in birth until the new life is implanted. Listen to the Apostle Paul as he prays and note how his prayers are all for others. “I could wish that [I] myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Rom. 9:3). Mark Epaphras, “always laboring fervently…in prayers” (Col. 4:12). Hear Count Zinzendorf as he prays for a few girls ranging in age from ten to thirteen whose spiritual education has become his care. “He observed that though their demeanor was blameless, and their intellectual grasp of the truth was satisfactory, yet no evidence of a heart knowledge of God appeared among them. This weighed on his soul and led him to earnest intercession for them. Cultured, wealthy young nobleman that he was, he was not above taking thought for the spiritual welfare of a few girls. More intense grew his concern, culminating at last in a season of such truly energized prayer as produced a most extraordinary effect. “The blessing he desired for his class came, and much more too, for this was the beginning of the mighty work among the Moravians, which bore fruit in their marvellous missionary enterprise.
The soul-winner’s prayer will be first for himself, and then for the soul to be won. For himself, he will need to pray a threefold prayer.
First: for moral courage to speak for Christ when opportunity offers. In the world which crucified Christ, it will never be easy to speak for Him. To some, the fear of man is an almost insuperable barrier. Is it boldness you need? Then do as the disciples did—pray! “Grant unto Thy servants that with all boldness they may speak Thy word…And they spake the Word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:29-31). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). You will be able, after prayer, to do what you never could have done without it.
Second: for guidance as to whom to approach. To speak to men indiscriminately and without inspiration and guidance is often hurtful both to the worker and to those whom he addresses. It goes without saying that God does not expect us to speak to everyone we meet, although He does expect us to be willing to do so. F. B. Meyer used to feel constantly burdened in regard to speaking to everyone he met, until he made it a matter of prayer that God would show him the ones to whom he should speak. The case of Philip the Evangelist is an outstanding example of this (see Acts 8:26). There are many souls with whom we come into contact, for whom God has no message at that moment. If we cultivate the habit of constantly looking to the Lord for instructions, He will guide us with His eye as to when to speak and when to keep silent.
Third: for guidance as to what to say. Let the reader remember that every soul-winner was once as inexperienced as he is. If God is calling you to speak to someone, then surely you can trust Him for the message. He knows what each case needs, and has given the Holy Spirit for the very purpose of bringing the right scriptures to your remembrance. Trust Him to do it. “He shall…bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (Jn. 14:26).
The worker’s prayer for the soul to be won will also be threefold.
First: that any indifference or hostility may be broken down and an opening made for delivering the message of salvation. Unless the Spirit of God precedes the worker, you will try in vain to storm the citadel of the soul. Persistent, believing prayer has often broken down the most determined opposition.
Second: that the soil of the heart may be prepared for the sowing of the seed. This again is the work of the Spirit of God. “When He [the Spirit of Truth] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment” (Jn. 16:8). He does His work of conviction in answer to prayer.
Third: that the soul may be liberated from the power of Satan. It is just here that the real battle is fought. Prayer of this kind is spiritual warfare. Satan, the “strong man” of Matthew 12:29, has bound every son of Adam, and contests their deliverance every inch of the way. It is by believing prayer alone that the strong man can be bound and souls delivered. “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11). The prayer warrior must learn how to plead the victory of Calvary, for the blood of the Lamb has forever broken the power of the devil, and robbed him of his prey.
“Real prayer,” says Gordon Watt, “is opposing a great spiritual force to the onslaught of evil, and asking God to put into operation the work done by His Son on the Cross, which was not only the redemption of man, but the defeat of the prince of this world.” Plead the blood of the Lamb for the liberation of the soul for whom you pray.
Our praying is likely to be futile unless it is definite in its aim. The marksman is aiming at one spot in all the wide world. After he has shot, he knows whether or not he has hit it. Our prayers should be of a similar order. They should be so definite that we shall know whether or not they have been answered. We must pray for definite souls. But for which souls? Here again the Holy Spirit comes to our aid. Our petitions should be Spirit-taught. As we wait before God, He will burden our hearts for certain souls who are within the sphere of our influence In Dr. Torrey’s first place of public ministry, God laid two persons on his heart in this way. He prayed for them throughout his years there, but neither was converted. For some years he kept on praying for them daily, and when later conducting a mission in that city both accepted Christ the same night. How appropriate are the words of Scripture: “The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for us as we ought…” (Rom. 8:26).
Then, too, our praying should be systematic. Too often we pray haphazardly, for whatever comes into the mind. “The Lord is a God of system” (Isa. 30:18, margin). His children should be like Him. System in praying will help to beget that perseverance which is so often conspicuous by its absence from our prayers. We pray and run away. “Foolish boys that knock at a door in wantonness,” said the old Puritan, “will not stay till someone cometh to open to them, but a man that hath business will knock and knock again until his call is answered.” “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you… and to him that knocketh (knocks, and keeps on knocking) it shall be opened” (Lk. 11:9-10). Let us not hang up the receiver before the answer comes over the heavenly wires. “Men ought always to pray and not to faint” (Lk. 18:1).
But apart from a believing heart all the foregoing conditions may be complied with, and yet no answer be received. “He that cometh to God must believe” (Heb. 11:6). “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth…let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord” (Jas. 1:6-7). Count on God’s good faith. Do not grieve and dishonor Him through disbelieving Him. “He is faithful that promised.” Expect Him to do the unexpected.
Prayer is God’s mightiest instrument in the salvation of souls and it is to be doubted if any soul is saved apart from the believing prayer of some saint. Lord, teach us to pray!