A Question We All Need to Ask (or be Asked!)

Day 40

It's here, the last challenge in our Lenten pursuit to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ's rising. With Easter just one week away, I'm overwhelmed by the significance that next Sunday holds. Our pastor informed us that Easter Sunday is often referred to as the Super Bowl for churches. As such, this upcoming holiday is the perfect invitation for unbelievers and believers alike to attend church, and God-willing, come to know the love of Christ and experience the life changing transformation that results from knowing God's Son. This morning our pastor expressed the desperate importance in putting aside nerves and having the courage to ask someone to attend church with you this Easter.  Just asking could make a difference in the eternal fate of entire generations in someone's family. Pastor Lamb explained how to know when you should invite someone to church this Easter: number one, if they're breathing =) and number two, if you start wondering if you should ask then ten times out of ten the answer is yes. It's the Holy Spirit nudging you. If they say no, at least you've opened the door for them to approach you later should they change their minds. If they begin to ask you questions about Christ that you don't know the answer to, tell them you'll get back to them with the answer, and ensure you follow through! Or, simply tell them you don't have all the answers, but share the story of how Christ's love has transformed your life, explaining that He can do the same for them. 

At the end of our service, we were asked us to write down the names of people we would like to invite on Easter, so the church staff can pray for each person this week. Witnessing hundreds of people write down names of friends, neighbors, and loved ones, and walking to the alter to place their names before Christ was beautifully moving. A recent poll found that 90 percent of people who do not attend church would go if someone just invited them, so statistically, most of those names should appear in church next Sunday! 

40 Day Challenge-Day 40:

Spend time in prayer asking God to lead you in inviting someone (or severals someones!) to church this Easter Sunday, maybe it's even yourself. When God provides you an answer, write down the name or names He's leading you toward in the below box. I will eagerly pray for each name--that you have the courage to invite them to church, that they say "Yes!" and that God moves in your invitees, showing them the love of Christ. Please feel free to submit additional information with a name if you'd like me to pray more specifically for a certain individual. Each submission is completely anonymous and names will remain confidential! 

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