Prayer for a mission

[Arya Raiin]

Hey there everyone! Well, I've felt the calling to be a missionary for a long time (at least 3 years) but I feel like I haven't been witnessing enough. I just feel like I should do more. However... whenever I get the feeling to share the Word but don't exactly get a good opportunity I say: "I don't want to make them feel uncomfortable." I understand that you have to be patient, but is there's a point when you wait to long, isn't there? It's so hard... so please pray for me!

[ADXC]

I feel the same way as I'm wanting to be able to be a missionary in a couple of years. Keep in mind that every Christian is a missionary, many just do not go to other countries to do it and it is less emphasized in their careers.

I can't tell you much on how to do it because I haven't really witnessed yet that much. I get so afraid, just like you, that I will offend them and make them feel uncomfortable. But you need to look at the fact that, this Gospel will make people feel uncomfortable because they want to hold on to their trivial sins because it brings them pleasure. But you need to say that those things will not bring lasting happiness, but will only bring destruction. Only having Jesus in their life and having a growing relationship with Him is going to ever bring lasting happiness.

There are four steps to witnessing to people that I've read about. And they have to do with farming in a way.
1. Prepare the soil (Just start showing them your Christian witness through your actions and show them the fruit of the spirit. Try to help them remove harmful habits and thought from their lives.)
2. Plant the seed (This is where you mention Jesus and all of that stuff.)
3. Water and give the plant sunlight (This is where you maintain that plant through a constant shower of God's attributes, why He cares about you, and Biblical references and such.)
4. Harvest the crop (Is where you help them through their final steps in salvation and they become saved.)

Of course, this is all easier said than done, but this way seems to be the way God wants it to be. Some missionaries I've read go over seas for 8 years, work their tails off to help save people, but none get saved. Then another missionary comes along a few years later, and the people who get saved exponentially rises each day.
Question: Was the first missionary a complete flop of a missionary? No, he was just preparing the soil by plowing the field, removing rocks, weeds and thorns.

So if you don't see any progress when you witness, do not think right away, "I'm not making any impact! They are so helpless, I just can't do it! They really can't be saved!" They can be saved because anything is possible with God. Sure I do believe a person can harden their heart to where they can't be saved because they quench the Holy Spirit, but that's if they reeeeeeally want to.

Don't lose heart friend, I'm praying for you!

[Angel37]

The key to sharing the Gospel in this culture seems to be just in relationship building and being open about why you do what you do and what you believe, leaving it open for people to ask questions. And kudos on feeling the calling! I have too and am currently studying to be a missionary. Praying for you!

[Tsukuyomi]

Wil lbe praying ^O^

[Atria35]

I can't tell you much on how to do it because I haven't really witnessed yet that much. I get so afraid, just like you, that I will offend them and make them feel uncomfortable. But you need to look at the fact that, this Gospel will make people feel uncomfortable because they want to hold on to their trivial sins because it brings them pleasure.

I feel the need to point out here that this isn't that correct- it's usually because they aren't interested and don't know a polite way to tell you that without hurting your feelings, making things awkward, or worrying about you going to go psycho-Christian on them (I have seen people go psycho-Christian, and it isn't pretty!)

One of the best way to share your faith is by living it- not going 'I'm not doing that because I believe in this and you shouldn't either!' but by living your beliefs quietly, and explaining gently and simply when asked. That seems to be most effective, and even if they don't convert, they tend to respect those people more.

However, if you feel called to do more than that, then I'll pray that you find a way to do it in a way that reaches people without making them uncomfortable.

[ADXC]

Sometimes that's the case, but others it really does come down to that they have a sinful thing they like to do and they feel that if they go become a Christian then they can't do that thing anymore. For me this is from personal experience.

[Atria35]

Sometimes that's the case, but others it really does come down to that they have a sinful thing they like to do and they feel that if they go become a Christian then they can't do that thing anymore. For me this is from personal experience.

And what I said was personal experience for me

I think what you said applies to a lot of people who were raised in the church, but left or dropped out for various reasons ('backsliders', I believe they're called?). But for those who were never really religious, the majority just feel uncomfortable, not guilty about their sins (because as non-religious people, why would they view their actions as sins?)

[ADXC]

Oh ok, I guess when I read your earlier statement it sounded as if what I described before never happens which I knew not to be true. But I guess we have to be clear on whom we are addressing.

[Arya Raiin]

Thank you everyone!