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Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Praying for Others: New Believers, focuses on how to pray for people who have recently accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Show Notes: Praying for Others: New Believers
Last week, we discussed praying for people who didn’t believe in Jesus and those prayers are more important than we’ll ever know while here on the earth. But what about new believers? People who’ve just given their hearts and lives to the One who died on the cross for them. I remember the time I realized that I needed a Savior, someone to take my sin and cleanse my mind, emotions, and will. I was a child but still needed Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of my life. It’s the most important decision I have ever made.
Shouldn’t giving our lives to Jesus make everything perfect? Why should we pray for new believers? The most crucial time for a new Christian is at the beginning. The devil fights hard to pull them back into old habits and ways. He tries to plant fear and disbelief in a new believer’s mind, causing them to doubt their salvation. Specific ways to pray for recent converts include:
- For support-that new Christians will find encouragement in the Word, through church and ministries, and through other believers.
- For positive influences and against negative ones-pray that these new believers will be aware of the people in their lives. Those who point them to God and who point away from Him.
- For the courage to share the gospel-they will not fear sharing their testimony of how they found God and what He means to them.
- For the ability to minister-they can learn by watching other loving, mature believers and reading the Word and the way Jesus lived His life.
- For growth- new believers won’t feel condemned and discouraged as they grow. They will learn about the grace and mercy of God.
- For peace-New Christians won’t live in fear of falling back into sin. When tempted, they’ll pray, go to the Word, and find a safe believer to confide in.
Besides praying for new believers, we need to encourage every baby step they take, share the way God helped us when we first received Jesus, and listen to any fears or concerns, pointing them to Jesus constantly.
There are two other ways to pray I want to touch on specifically:
First, that a new believer will be able to conform to the image of Christ. We are called to be like Jesus. Philippians 2: 1-5 says in the New Living Translation: “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” We pray that new Christians can learn to be Christ-like through spending time praying and listening to God, reading and studying the Word, sitting under sound teaching and preaching, and listening to uplifting music.
Second, we can pray a new believer will know the will of God and how it pertains to their lives. You can see God’s will throughout the Word. Following the Ten Commandments is in his will. Also, loving God and our neighbors. Caring for widows and orphans. Repentance. Being a growing disciple of Christ. Believing. Having Faith. Showing the fruit of the spirit. Praying. All these things and much more are the will of God for everyone. Then there are gifts, talents, and direction given to each individual. Some people are called to full-time ministry. Many are called to be a witness at work, in the community, and at home. Some to be missionaries. Some share the word of the Lord through speaking platforms, podcasting, blogging, and writing. Some pray for countries, communities, and leaders.
New believers need our prayers, our encouragement, and our support. Will you reach out to a new believer today? Ask God to show you the best way to do that. I still remember my family and friends, Sunday school teachers, pastors, and youth leaders who helped point me to a deeper relationship with Jesus. I’m sure many of them prayed for me and I’m forever grateful. They encouraged me when I stepped out on God’s dance floor and took my first, faltering steps that led to Him.
Let’s pray: Father God, we thank you that you want no one to perish and you are drawing new Christians every day. Help us to pray for them, and encourage and support them as they embark on this wonderful journey with you. Place new Christians in our path so we can be a witness and encouragement to them. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
Today’s featured author is Rosemary Althoff, author of the Christian science fiction novels The Hot Marble and The Cave Chamber in the “Soul’s Warfare” series. A brilliant young physicist finds his beliefs—and his
very life—challenged when a hot marble flings him into a plot to conquer two planets … including Earth. Lewis finds his true love, but his jealous best friend betrays him, and he must face the ultimate sacrifice when enemies threaten his younger brother and sister. Learn more at rosemaryalthoff.wordpress.com
Next week, we’ll focus on praying for mature Christians. Until then, stay determined to dance…
Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance podcast, Praying for Others: New Believers, focuses on how to pray for people who have recently accepted #Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. #faith
Links:
My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope
Remember: Praying for Others: New Believers
Video of the week:
I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.
