The week before Easter, Pastor Brian did a sermon titled, “Agents of the good news.” It was about the importance of pointing others to Jesus and inviting them to church. The thing that made the biggest impact on me was when he said that when God puts someone on your heart to pray for in regards to inviting them to church, He is already working in their hearts. How very sweet that is.
A couple of years ago, we met and became friends with a family at my son’s preschool. God had put them on my heart to pray for them and invite them to church. The mom had gone to church in the past but her husband never had and they hadn’t been taking their two boys.
Over the past couple years, we have talked to them about our faith and invited them to church quite a few times, but they had not actually come with us to the Vineyard.
So when I heard this message by Pastor Brian, it reminded me to invite them to Easter service the following weekend. When I texted my friend the following day, she responded and said, “We have actually been going to a Christian church near my parents’ house for the last month and a half.”
What a joy to know that God is always at work in someone’s heart when He wants you to pray for them and what a privilege to see the answer!
It doesn’t get any better than that to know that God is working through us on behalf of others and we are blessed when we agree to be a part of His plan that is accomplished in His timing.
Praise the Lord!
Is there a similar story you would like to share about a time when God worked through you and your prayers to bring someone you care about closer to Him?
Melissa
I invited one of the moms at my kids swimming lessons, and she took the printed invitation, smiled and said she and her family might check our church out — or something like that. Imagine my surprise when A YEAR LATER I saw her at kids church, and she was one of the volunteer helpers!
You really never know what God can do with a simple invitation.
I saw someone at Gamestop and invited them back to church (after they took a few years off) AND THEY CAME!
You just never know!