Prayer Evangelism by Ed Silvoso
| A Book Review |
Synopsis
Prayer Evangelism by Ed Silvoso is a powerful book that teaches believers how to impact communities through intercessory prayer and outreach. Silvoso presents a model of evangelism focused on praying for others, blessing communities, and establishing God's peace before sharing the gospel. He emphasizes that prayer is not just a preliminary activity to evangelism but a primary means of bringing transformation. The book is rooted in the Biblical example of Luke 10, where Jesus instructs His disciples to bless and engage with people in their communities before declaring God’s message.
Silvoso proposes that traditional evangelism approaches often skip essential steps: blessing and praying for communities before outreach. The book’s key idea is that believers can bring transformation by first praying for people, especially those resistant to the gospel, and cultivating spiritual receptivity through acts of blessing and service. Silvoso also encourages believers to take authority over spiritual strongholds and recognize that, through prayer, they can "soften" the spiritual climate in any given area. This process enables effective and lasting evangelistic efforts.
The book is filled with real-life testimonies of communities transformed through prayer evangelism, offering practical guidance for churches and individuals who want to impact their cities.
In Prayer Evangelism, Ed Silvoso advocates for an evangelism model based on prayer, blessing, and engaging with communities spiritually before sharing the gospel. This model is derived from the instructions Jesus gave to His disciples in Luke 10:5-9 (KJV):
"And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."
Silvoso explains that Jesus’ method involved blessing others, building relationships, meeting needs, and then sharing the message of the Kingdom. This approach helps believers impact communities by spiritually preparing them for the gospel through prayer and acts of blessing.
Outline with Mechanics and Scriptural Support
Chapter 1: The Power of Prayer in Evangelism
- Prayer as the Foundation of Evangelism: Silvoso emphasizes that prayer isn’t just preparation; it’s the starting point.
- Scriptural Example: Jesus demonstrates the power of prayer in evangelism through His ministry, where He often prayed before performing miracles or choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12-13).
- Application: Commit to regular prayer specifically for the community, asking for God’s peace and presence to be manifest.
Chapter 2: Bless and Do Not Curse
- Blessing Instead of Condemning: Begin by blessing people and communities rather than focusing on their faults. This blessing paves the way for spiritual receptiveness.
- Scripture: Romans 12:14 (KJV) – "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."
- Mechanic: Start interactions with a prayer of blessing. For example, silently or openly pray, “Lord, let Your peace and blessing be upon this home, this family, and this community.”
Chapter 3: The Four Steps of Prayer Evangelism
Speak Peace to the Community
- Concept: Open with a blessing of peace, just as Jesus instructed His disciples.
- Scripture: Luke 10:5-6 (KJV) – "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again."
- Mechanic: As you enter a neighborhood or approach a home, silently declare God’s peace over it. Pray, “May the peace of God rest upon this place.”
Fellowship with the People
- Concept: Build genuine relationships and show interest in their lives. Jesus dined and spent time with the people He ministered to.
- Scripture: Luke 10:7 (KJV) – "And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire."
- Mechanic: Engage with people sincerely—listen to them, share meals, and take time to know them without rushing to share the gospel. This builds trust.
Meet Felt Needs
- Concept: Address their immediate needs before sharing the gospel, as Jesus often healed and helped those He ministered to.
- Scripture: Luke 10:9 (KJV) – "And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."
- Mechanic: Identify ways to serve practically, such as helping with chores, offering support during difficulties, or simply praying for specific needs. By meeting tangible needs, you demonstrate God’s love in action.
Proclaim the Gospel
- Concept: Once the community is spiritually receptive, share the gospel message, which is the ultimate purpose of evangelism.
- Scripture: Mark 16:15 (KJV) – "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
- Mechanic: After establishing peace, fellowship, and service, share the gospel message naturally and lovingly, inviting them to accept Jesus Christ.
Chapter 4: Spiritual Warfare in Prayer Evangelism
- Identifying Spiritual Strongholds: Recognize that communities may have spiritual barriers, which believers are empowered to address through prayer.
- Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV) – "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."
- Mechanic: Pray specifically against any known negative influences or issues in the community, asking for God’s protection and the breaking of spiritual barriers.
Chapter 5: Transforming Communities through Prayer
- Transformation through Prayer and Action: Communities can experience change when believers persist in prayer and show God’s love through service.
- Scripture: Matthew 5:16 (KJV) – "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
- Mechanic: Form a group dedicated to praying for and serving the community, aiming for lasting spiritual and social change.
Chapter 6: Practical Applications of Prayer Evangelism
- Building and Mobilizing Prayer Teams: Gather individuals who share a vision for prayer evangelism.
- Scripture: Matthew 18:20 (KJV) – "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
- Mechanic: Hold regular prayer meetings, prayer walks, and community outreach activities. Pray specifically for the neighborhood's spiritual and practical needs.
Chapter 7: Persevering in Prayer Evangelism
- Endurance in Prayer: Be patient, even when results aren’t immediately visible. Transformation often takes time and consistency.
- Scripture: Galatians 6:9 (KJV) – "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
- Mechanic: Keep praying, visiting, and blessing the community regularly, trusting that God will bring the harvest in His time.
Chapter 8: The Global Vision of Prayer Evangelism
- Expanding Prayer Evangelism Worldwide: Silvoso envisions believers globally engaging in prayer evangelism, resulting in widespread revival.
- Scripture: Psalm 2:8 (KJV) – "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."
- Mechanic: Encourage believers to pray for nations, asking God to open doors and soften hearts globally to receive the gospel.
Key Takeaways
- Prayer as the Foundation: Prayer is essential for spiritual receptiveness.
- Blessing, Fellowship, and Service: These steps align with the example set by Jesus in Luke 10, cultivating a fertile ground for the gospel.
- Taking Authority over Strongholds: Believers are empowered to address spiritual hindrances in communities.
- Persistent, Prayer-Driven Outreach: Continued prayer and service lead to transformative, lasting impact.
Through Prayer Evangelism, believers learn to combine prayer with outreach, thus creating an approach that both respects and transforms communities.
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