C01 Interest and Prayer
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C01 Interest and Prayer
In conversations with unbeliving friends, I have thought for a long time about how to „naturally“ move to a spiritual topic. Sometimes it turned into interesting conversation about philosophy, but it seldom came to the Bible or Jesus.
Today we are learning how to gently get straight to the point. When we approach people with real interest, the vast majority will respond well! In the way I am going to show you now, we address loved ones and acquaintances, but also complete strangers: A saleswoman, a passenger on a train, a repairman in a car repair shop… Just anyone we stop with for a while. (I say what is blue.)
Hello.
How are you doing, today?
They answer either positively or negatively.
a) „NOT SO GOOD.“
And what bothers you?
I’ll let them talk now. I will learn something about their own health or of someone close or about some relationship issues and so on.
Hm, that must be hard…
When I deal with something, I discuss it with Jesus and He always invents something.
Jesus, thank you for loving mister neighbor here, and I ask you for his knee problem…
You know, it really works with Jesus, there was a time in my life…
And I’m moving directly to my fifteen-second „lightning story“…
In case of a POSITIVE response:
Hello.
How are you doing today?
b) „It’s GOOD“ …Occasionally someone says „SUPER“…
That’s great, what are you happy about?
I listen, smile, and rejoice with them.
Wow, that’s great.
When I rejoice in something, I discuss it with Jesus, and then I have twice as much joy.
Jesus, thank you for loving our neighbor here and letting him to get along with his grandchildren so well…
You know, it really works with Jesus, there was a time in my life…
And again, I’m moving directly to my fifteen-second lightning story.
By the way, this introductory tool we call “Interest And Prayer”.
Will you try it with me one more time? Let’s just do the side I’m saying. Now, as part of the exercise, I will omit what my neighbor would answer…
Hello.
How are you doing today?
a) „NOT SO GOOD.“
And what’s bothering you?
………
Hm, that must be hard…
You know, when I deal with something, I discuss it with Jesus and He always invents something.
Jesus, thank you for loving our neighbor here, please him with his stomach problem…
You know, it really works with Jesus, there was a time in my life…
And another positive option?!
Hello.
How are you doing today, sir?
b) „Yeah, it’s GOOD“
That’s nice, what are you happy about?
………
Wow, that’s great.
When I rejoice in something, I discuss it with Jesus, and then I have twice as much joy.
Jesus, thank you for loving our neighbor here, that he managed to sell the car well…
You know, it really works with Jesus, there was a time in my life…
If we were at training, I would ask the participants to read it to themselves, as if talking to a fictional friend or neighbor. Once as he was doing well and the second time he was doing badly. Then try it again in both positions, as much as possible by heart!
This tool called “Interest and Prayer” is a very important start to various conversations after which we continue on…
What are the responses of unbelievers? Sure, there are people who after my one-sentence prayer for their need tell me that they are non-believers. But most people say something like, „Thank you“ or „That’s nice of you.“ One guy said: „Wow, I have goose bumps.“ „Yeah, you’re right, because Jesus is here with us,“ I replied.
Jesus, thank you for getting straight to the point with a lot of people in your day. After all, what is more important in life than your closeness, your touch, your salvation…