As God works in the heart to draw a person to the Lord Jesus Christ and receive the great relief in the forgiveness of sins, the new relationship with God and the bounty of blessings that unfold throughout life, there is also a longing for friends and family to know and experience this newfound faith. Just consider the experience of the first disciples as Jesus was first beginning His ministry:
John 1:43–46 (ESV) — 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Oh for a faith that burns so bright within us that we have to tell others and invite them to “come and see” the great things done by God in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Like any other aspect of the Christian life, we must realize the power is not in us but in the working of the Holy Spirit to make the heart and the mind receptive to the Gospel. In other words, it’s not according to a scheme or manipulation on our part, it’s our being a faithful witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, depending upon Him as He works through His Spirit to call in His sheep. We are simply a mouthpiece, but a caring mouthpiece who longs for God to do a work in the people for whom we have great love and concern.
Wouldn’t it make sense then, that as we think of the people in our lives who do not have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, who are living their lives contrary to the declared will of God in the Bible, that we would pray for them and pray for opportunities to share Gospel truths with them? Before I go further, let me ask you to think about the people in your life that are not followers of the Lord Jesus Christ for whom you are praying. I heard an admonition years ago that every Christian should have a list of people for whom they are praying and the list should include: people close to you, people you just know, and people you would like to know. In that last category, a friend began praying for a famous triathlete and for God to give him an opportunity to share the Gospel with him. Following a race in Texas, my friend was sitting in the airport and the next thing he knew the famous triathlete walked up to him and asked how his race went. They talked for a while with a variety of Gospel moments, but the conversation ended with the triathlete inviting my friend to come to San Diego and visit him. As you are praying for people and opportunities, keep in mind that God is not limited in what He can do.
Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV) — 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
As you think about the list of people that are close to you, those that you know, and those you would like to know, consider the breastplate of the priest in the Tabernacle. The priest wore a constant reminder of those that he represented from the twelve tribes of Isreal, placed on the garment that he wore as He served God and went before God.
Exodus 39:8–14 (ESV) — 8 He made the breastpiece, in skilled work, in the style of the ephod, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 9 It was square. They made the breastpiece doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth when doubled. 10 And they set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle was the first row; 11 and the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; 12 and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in settings of gold filigree. 14 There were twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They were like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.
A number of years ago while studying the Old Testament worship and encouraging my flock to constantly stretch in their love for others, I connected this breastplate of the priest and our daily times before the throne of God as we pray for those for whom we care, and the outcome has been the “Breastplate Of Remembrance.” We used a template with twelve spaces to write the names of the people on our list. I quickly found, however, that for some it was intimidating because they did not have 12 names, and others felt it was too limiting because they were praying for more people than the allotted number of spaces.
The list is not for the purpose of the list, rather it’s writing the names as a commitment that you will remember them whenever you go before God. The number of names is not as important as your commitment to pray for each person.
In addition, we ask our members to share their personal list on their “Breastplate of Remembrance” with the church, which in turn is published so the church body can help bear the burdens of each person who made and shared their list. In addition, at each gathering of the weekly prayer meeting every person on the Breastplate of Remembrance is brought up before God.
What a mighty movement of seeking the Lord on behalf of those who are not followers of the Lord Jesus Christ! Anyone can participate by first making a list, by being faithful to pray regularly for the people on that list, and share your list with others who will join you in helping to bear your burden of concern for those on your list as you help to bear their burden. Just think what can and will be produced through the Breastplate of Remembrance ministry. Your love for lost people will grow, your prayer life will be enhanced, your connection with other Christians who participate with you will increase, and your dependency upon the Lord Jesus Christ will supercharge your walk with Him. It’s a win all around. One more word about the “Breastplate of Remembrance” ministry. As you have opportunities to share the Gospel, or if you hear of those on your list responding to the Gospel, get ready to move the people from your “Breastplate of Remembrance” list to a new list of those for whom you are praying for growth and sanctification as a new believer.
Luke 18:27 (ESV) — 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out the PowerBreak podcast wherever you download podcasts or from Bob’s website: www.bobbrubaker.com
