Statistics show that around 80% of all responses to the gospel are made by children and teenagers. Only around 20% of people come to know the Lord when they are “older.” Any church or mission that wants to be fruitful for God has to tailor their ministry to serve the needs of young people and families, because that’s where most of the harvest is going to be. As a well known video of the past decade expressed it, we need to think smaller and aim lower. That’s why I’ve dedicated my whole life to working with children, youth and families, as well as equipping workers to reach the emerging generations.
(If you want to watch the whole video, you can see it by clicking here: World Congress on Great Commission )
(If you want to watch the whole video, you can see it by clicking here: World Congress on Great Commission )
But 2017 statistics tell us that 51% of the world’s population is under the age of 21. What hope is there for the other half of the world, the people who reached adulthood and middle age without ever making a decision to follow Jesus? Probably most of us have family members, friends and neighbours who are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. How realistic is it that we can keep hoping and praying for their salvation?
Well, Jesus set the example for us. While he spent much of His time with the young - the disciples, who were probably mostly teenagers (as evidenced by the fact that most of them weren't married yet) and the children and families in the crowds that came to hear Him preach - He didn’t give up on the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the “sinners” and the religious people who were set in their ways. He kept reaching out to everyone, knowing that no one is ever beyond the reach of God’s love and grace.
This week, while reading and meditating in Colossians chapter 4 (see verses 2 and 12 - 13 in particular) I became freshly aware of the importance of fervent, discerning prayer if we are to see the non-believers around us really open their hearts and minds to the claims of God. When Paul tells the Colossians that Epaphras “wrestles in prayer” or “prays hard” for them, the Greek word is agōnizomai, which means to agonise or to engage in a battle.
In this season of living in Spain, God has brought many non-believers across my path. I chat daily with around a dozen people who are out walking their dogs; I interact regularly with half a dozen people who live in my neighbourhood. But it hasn’t escaped my notice that most of these people are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. They’re not in the age bracket that most usually responds to the gospel.
Does that mean it isn’t worth the effort? No, it means that even more effort is needed in prayer and spiritual warfare. I want to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4 vs 5) so that my conversation will be gracious and attractive, giving the right response to everyone. (Colossians 4 vs 6). I ask you, my friends and prayer partners to pray that God will give me many opportunities to speak about His amazing plan concerning Christ (vs 3) and to please pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. (vs 4) I invite you to devote yourself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart (vs 2), not only for the people I interact with daily, but also for the friends, family members and neighbours that God has placed within your own circle of influence.
You could continue to pray for my neighbour who was recently diagnosed with cancer, that her heart will become softer towards the gospel. You could pray for the Cuban lady who’s been joining me on my early morning dog walks. Then there’s the 70 year old Spanish lady who has bad diabetes and whose husband suffers from Parkinson’s ... I’ve been training their young German Shepherd dog to walk politely on the lead, so that they’re not afraid to venture out on walks with him. This lady, too, has been regularly coming on long walks with me this summer and this gives us plenty of opportunity for conversation.
These people are not young, but they still need Jesus. Please pray with me for God’s love and truth to touch them and to make a difference in the everyday situations that they face.
Thank you… and please know that you are also in my prayers. I pray that you too will know open doors and that God will touch the lives of the people that you know and love.
