Matthew 9:36; Luke 15:7, 11-24; Acts 12:5; James 5:16-17; 1 Peter 3:15
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
"The most effective evangelism tool ever developed!" Billy Graham
Many years ago I was on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ and we started this program on how to better reach our neighbors with prayer. Later on it was infolded into "Mission America," our Ministry Partner and the Association that Into Thy Word is a part of. So, it is natural we have for you a "How to Develop a Lighthouse! "
What is a Light House? Throughout recorded history, from the ancient Egyptians to the Mesopotamians and the Greeks, a Lighthouse was, and still is a beacon of light to warn ships at sea of danger such as rocks, and to provide rescue for ships in distress.
What Is A Lighthouse of Prayer? A Lighthouse of Prayer (LHP) is a beacon of light to the wonders of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the Light and you are the lighthouse! This is one of the most non-threatening, totally convenient, simple, yet profound methods of reaching the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Based on Luke 10, a Lighthouse of Prayer does not talk to their neighbors about God; rather they simply spend as little as five minutes a day in prayer for their neighbors. This for the past several years has been the focus of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Mission America as well as Campus Crusade for Christ.
The Focus is to "Prayer, Share, and Care" for your Neighbors!
A Lighthouse is a gathering of two or more people, in Jesus' name, uniting together to pray for, care for, and lovingly share Jesus Christ with their neighbors and others in their sphere of influence. Lighthouses of Prayer are places where Believers pray for their neighbors. Houses of Prayer may be in homes, places of business, work sites, college dorms, apartments, prison cells-any place where Believers can gather to pray for unbelievers.
Becoming a Lighthouse is a simple process. We begin by making the commitment to pray for, care for, and share Christ with people in our neighborhoods or sphere of influence. If the notion of sharing your faith of Christ scares you, do not worry because the Lighthouse strategy is a simple way for all of us to share-sometimes without even speaking a word or overtly sharing your faith! Pray with compassion and conviction! But, of course, to really be more influential, we should also open our mouths to what is in our hearts.
The Lighthouse Strategy begins by identifying your neighbors, those you will pray for and eventually share Christ with. The best way to begin is to do a "prayer-walk" your neighborhood. Prayer walking is easy. At least once a week (preferably once a day) go on a walk through your neighborhood, praying for each home as you walk by. Many people pray five blessings upon five homes (a strategy developed by Houses of Prayer). Prayer walking is most successful when you go with another person such as spouse, family, or another Christian in your neighborhood. Prayer for blessings is praying for God's best upon your neighbor's health, family, work, emotions, social life, and spiritual life.
After doing a few prayer walks, begin letting your neighbors know in casual conversation that you are praying for them, and ask them if there is something specific they would like you to pray for. Most people will be glad to give you one or two items. Pray for those items during your prayer walk, share them with your small group or prayer group at church (keep confidences); then, a few days later, ask each person what is happening. Continue prayer walking regularly as you care for and share with your neighbors. Prayer walking in your neighborhood in this fashion begins opening the doors of opportunity. As those doors open, you can show love to your neighbors by offering to do practical things for them that they will appreciate. Begin building bridges. Serve them and meet their needs. Do random acts of kindness-mow a lawn, buy food, baby-sit, look out for a job for a person out of work, send their kid to camp, etc.
The next stage is cultivating common activities like starting block parties, cookouts, sports, and other events. This goes a long way toward building relationships and showing each neighbor you are the kind of Christian that genuinely cares for them. As you express care for your neighbors, you are actually preparing them to receive an important gift that will introduce them to a love far greater.
Then from this you can start to develop small groups. Use the Alpha Course, or our Small Group Curriculum Model (see links below). And now you have started evangelistic Small Groups!
You can also register as a Lighthouse (www.missionamerica.org/) to help you in committing to reach the people in your sphere of influence for Christ through this three‑fold strategy of praying for, caring for, and sharing with your neighbors. There are further resources that will help you get started in praying for, caring for, and sharing Christ with those around you. This includes video training, tracts, and encouragement.
The Bible urges that prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone. And "everyone" includes our neighbors, whom God wants "to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-8) If you are a Believer, if you have neighbors, if you love the Lord and care about those neighbors, and if you have five minutes a day to pray for them, you can start a House of Prayer!
How do we start ?
Start by praying for the "Fives"
· Five neighbors or persons or households who live or work near you, for
· Five minutes a day, for
· Five days a week, for
· Five weeks, with
· Five blessings.
Use the acronym BLESS to remind yourself of five important areas to cover when praying for others:
· Body-physical needs, health, energy
· Labor-work, income, job satisfaction
· Emotional-inner life, joy, peace
· Social-family relationships, friends
· Spiritual-repentance, faith, holiness.
This is a start. At the end of five weeks you decide whether or not to continue. It does not have to be every day in order to make a powerful difference. As you go, you may start to increase your time.
How Do I Pray for My Neighbors? Be friendly! Lighthouse provides a five‑week devotional guide designed to help you pray for your friends and neighbors, and a booklet that shows how a House of Prayer can powerfully change your life and your neighborhood. They also have "Door-hangers" and prayer greeting cards-tools to help you connect with those you are praying for, and "Power House," a monthly newsletter full of stories, articles, and ideas about prayer that will help and encourage you.
How can I begin?
Start by saying yes to God's call! Then document what you will be doing
Persons I will pray for: write your name below to commit to pray for your neighbors:
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Persons I will pray with:
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My five-week commitment begins _ _ _ _ _ and ends the week of _ _ _
What I have learned as I have prayed: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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Why should I start a Lighthouse?
· The gift you give each person is the Good News about Jesus Christ. There are many ways that you can introduce Jesus to your neighbors. Lighthouse is an excellent and easy way to commence!
· Because your neighbors are fragmented, disconnected, isolated, or lost! They need to see God illustrated in the lives of others-of your life!
· If you have no problem openly sharing your faith, use your times of caring to begin probing about the spiritual condition and beliefs of your neighbors. Materials like the "Four Spiritual Laws" from Campus Crusade will help you present the Gospel clearly. See our Evangelism Channel for more great resources!
· If you are not sure how to share your faith, then gift giving is the strategy you should use. Giving a copy of the "JESUS" film to neighbors usually results in nearly half of all homes having someone receive Christ. Giving JESUS CDs or "The Passion of the Christ" during holidays can have even greater impact! After you have given your gift, check back with them within a few days and ask them what they thought of the video. You may discover that many of your friends prayed to receive Christ at the end of the CD, but they do not know what to do next. That is your opportunity to lead them in an investigative or evangelistic Bible study for new Believers, or get them involved in your church.
· Ready to Build! Every day new Lighthouses are being established. You can be a part of the growing number of people whom God is using to see their neighbors come to know Christ. They are centers of blessing in which Believers ask the Father for blessings on those who live or work near them.
Can we depend on you to leave His light on from your prayers and example? Let us make our homes "Power House" Lighthouses (Matthew 5: 14-16; John 4:35; 6:44)!
Further Resources:
http://www.lighthousemovement.org/
http://www.lighthousereport.com/
http://www.namb.net/evangelism/prayer/lighthouses/
http://www.hopeministries.org/
http://www.lighthouseofprayer.org/
Gleaned from resources from "Son Life" and "Campus Crusade for Christ."
Developed by Richard Krejcir and other staff members of Campus Crusade for Christ ©1985, 2004 www.intothyword.org Full permission is granted for its reprint and use.
