“Help us be in position to point them in love back to You, God.”

That was a prayer by Joshua Lynn, Lead Pastor of Community Church at Hackleburg in Alabama during the final prayer for Sunday’s service, January 10, 2021.

After praying this prayer, referencing the present turmoil in our nation and world, Pastor Lynn said, “In those conversations that we all hear, we all have, and everybody around is having, when that prodigal is there, we need to have that ‘Sell Jesus’ mind on. … You need to be thinking in that conversation, ‘How can I share Jesus in this moment. How can I turn this conversation to Jesus?’ I don’t mean to beat them up with the Bible. That’s not the point, but be careful, because you have an opportunity to share hope in Jesus when they are sharing concerns of our world. … Do it in love; do it in gentleness, and I promise God will use it as the Spirit guides you” (permission granted to use the quote).

The Word of God supports his statement:

• “The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:1 NKJV).
• “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15 KJV).
• “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

We are to be ready to answer.

So, pray. Prepare your answer.

It doesn’t have to be an exposition, just a short statement, whatever the Holy Spirit gives you to say.

Pray for boldness to make the statement so you do not fear the backlash.

Then trust the Holy Spirit to let you know when the time is right for you to speak, because He alone knows when He has the heart of your prodigal prepared to receive that truth or to have a seed planted.  

Be prepared to answer!