A Prayer to Share the Good News Boldly - Your Daily Prayer - December 11

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A Prayer to Share the Good News Boldly
By Sophia Bricker

Bible Reading:
“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:17-18, NIV).

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“I’ve converted most of my friends.”

I blinked as I thought about what my friend had just told me, still trying to grasp the shift in terminology. Someone listening to our conversation may have assumed we had been discussing religion; we weren’t. Instead, my friend had spent the last few minutes expressing her passion for a specific band and genre of music. She had described herself in a way that I would compare to an evangelist––telling others about the joy of listening to music by a band they had not previously known.

Language changes over time. Today, many young people employ religious terminology when referring to music or other popular culture to describe their connection with a particular medium. Some may describe themselves as a “follower” of a specific artist, even using the words “born again.” Others speak of conversion as a time when they began enjoying a specific band or show, regardless of their former views on the subject. People have also referred to concerts and other events as a time of “going to church.”

Such usage of terminology that has historic and biblical meanings tied to them can prove challenging to believers. However, they should also make us pause and reflect. My initial thoughts after the conversation with my friend centered on her passion and what it might look like if individuals could be as enthusiastic when talking about Christ. This was not merely an outside observation but one that caused me to examine myself. What would it look like for me to live as a passionate and bold witness for Jesus?

One of the earliest examples we have in the New Testament of individuals sharing the good news is found in the second chapter of Luke’s Gospel. Before Jesus ever healed anyone during His earthly ministry, walked with His disciples, hung on the cross, or rose from the dead, He was born to the virgin Mary and placed inside a feeding trough (Luke 2:7). Angels announced His birth to simple shepherds guarding their flocks at night. Amid the backdrop of a bright light and worshiping angels, the shepherds heard about the coming of the promised Messiah (Luke 2:8-15).

After seeing the Christ child for themselves, the shepherds traveled around to those living nearby to spread the news of the newborn King. Their encounter with Jesus enabled them to serve as bold witnesses of His birth. God used lowly shepherds to make the good news known.

Later, the Lord did the same with former fishermen and other average men and women. After Jesus’ resurrection, women were the first to tell others the news that “He is risen!” (Matthew 28:5-7). The disciples, too, became witnesses of Christ, testifying to others about His life, death, and resurrection. As Peter told Cornelius: “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen” (Acts 10:39-40, NIV).

Whether in the example of the shepherds or the disciples, the passionate testimony these individuals bore stemmed from a personal encounter and relationship with the Lord. Those who know Him, love Him. And what we love, we naturally want to talk about to others.

Plans and strategies in evangelism and ministry have their place. We can learn how to simply articulate the good news through specific steps and formulas, such as the Roman Roads method or the Good News/Bad News formula. However, if we desire to share the good news passionately with others, we must first be passionate about Jesus. Falling more in love with Him will make us want to keep turning conversations back to Him; to act as a true evangelist by excitedly telling others about the joy of knowing the Savior.

Let’s Pray:

Lord, nothing compares with knowing You because Your love is better than life. I want to use my life to glorify You, so that when others see the way I live or listen to my words, they will be drawn to You, Jesus.

Make me bold like the shepherds who told others about You when You came into the world as an infant in Bethlehem. Or like the disciples who, through the power of the Spirit, testified to many about the salvation found in Your name. When I am weak, be my strength. When I don’t know what to say, guide my words with truth and grace. When I am afraid or anxious, calm my fears and grant me boldness. And may my love for You grow so that it becomes infectious to others.

In Your name I pray, Amen.

Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Sophia Bricker Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.

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