By: Curtis Evelo | February 26, 2023
Recently, the Lord reminded me to never stop interceding for others in prayer. Several months ago, I got a simple text message from a friend stating, “You’re not going to guess what I did today in a thousand guesses.” I pondered this message for a minute and threw out a quick-witted reply… but to my surprise, the response was, “I surrendered my life to Jesus..!”. That very instant, I was overcome with unspeakable joy and broke down in tears. In that moment, I praised God for His grace and mercy and His answer to a prayer that I had continued to pray over this friend. I’m learning to never stop interceding.
Keep Praying
For years I felt I needed to keep praying for his turning and continue lifting him to the Lord. There are many names in my prayer book that I’ve prayed once or twice for and then released to God. When they cross my mind, I will seek God on their behalf again at that time. But there are some that God convicts me to keep on the top of the list, and I continue to pray for them. Well, this friend was one that I kept on the top(ish) of that list in my prayer book. I often prayed a simple prayer asking God to reveal Himself in a powerful way to this person.
Well, it appears God heard my prayers, and my friend said he’d been going to church off and on for a while now. This particular day he felt that he just needed and wanted to be a better man and lead his family well. He also mentioned that it was our friendship that played a factor and that watching my marriage and life through the years was such an inspiration for him to want to change. I’m so glad I’m learning to never stop interceding.
He Knew I Was Talking to God about Him
We have been friends for a very long time, and he’s seen me at my worst and the ways I have changed and grown in my walk with Christ. That doesn’t always mean we spoke about God when we visited. Nor did we discuss deep theological views. It just boiled down to some encouragement when issues arose and being consistent with a biblical worldview. Some conversations would end with “I’m praying for you.” Others would end with, “We’ll pick this up another time.” Each time after our conversation ended and before I started something else, I’d pray for him and his family.
God blessed me with seeing my friend’s life turn in a different direction. As he learns to use his talents and influence for the Lord, he will get to speak into the lives of people, too. These are people that you or I don’t have that access to, but God can reach them through my friend. It says in Luke 11:9-13 to ask, seek, and knock; and to ask specific things – all in submission to God’s will. Also, Proverbs 22:29 says that access to certain people and areas of life is because of specific “skills or talents.” I saw both scripture verses play out in real time.
We All Have a Mission to Pray
God has given all of us opportunities to engage with people around us. We can seek God on their behalf, and we should. It is not because of their influence or status. Not because of our influence or status. It is because He first gave us the Great Commission. We need to be faithful in the spread of that Commission. God has revealed to us all through Scripture that He uses people to accomplish the spreading of the Gospel. Sometimes that’s directly sharing a clear gospel message. Sometimes, it’s being consistent in your life and being ready with the biblical answers to questions someone has.
I genuinely believe that being open to what the Holy Spirit has for us as we engage those around us will open opportunities to see revival in the churches we pray for. Let’s do our part and let God use our talents and access to places and people others can’t or don’t have. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:6: we plant, others water, but God gives the increase. Remember, never stop interceding.
About the Author
Curtis Evelo is a cattle rancher at the E6 Hereford Ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana. Curtis is the Co-Host and Producer of the Bellator Christi Podcast. He often teaches and speaks at his church Cornerstone Faith Center in St. Ignatius. Curtis provides a common-sense approach to Christianity as he contemplates the wonders of God’s creation in Big Sky Country. Curtis serves as the Vice-President of Bellator Christi Ministries, a contributor, and the co-host of the Bellator Christi Podcast. His research interests include Jewish studies in the New Testament, Old Testament typologies, and studies on free will.
