Do Prayer and Evangelism Still Work Today?
Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities, opens with the words, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. . .” I think that describes the era we’ve living in. We live in a time of widespread instability.
Just consider the events of the last 30 days. An assassination attempt on a former US president (and current presidential candidate). A current sitting president stepping down from his reelection bid. The Christian faith mocked at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Financial uncertainty looming.
But if you’re watching closely, you’ll also see some heartening events. Over the last month, we had our 35th annual Harvest Crusade at Angel Stadium in Southern California—a large-scale evangelistic event where we host Christian artists and I share the message of the gospel.
What was the result? Over 50,000 people attended in person. The stadium got so packed the Fire Marshal had to shut the doors, and another 200,000 joined us online. By the end of the night, over 5,000 prayed and made public professions of faith in Jesus Christ.
The following week, we hosted our 2nd Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate’s Cove, in Corona Del Mar, where we baptized 2,000 people. We had 65 pastors, deacons, and elders assisting us. At the same location last year, we baptized 4,500 people; I didn’t think 2,000 more would come to be baptized this time. In just twelve months, we’ve baptized 6,500 people. It’s incredible.
A Hunger for God
What’s happening here? I believe that as our culture drifts further away from God, and as America wanders further away from its founding Judeo-Christian principles, more problems will develop. But at the same time, as a pastor and evangelist, I believe we’ll see the demand for God at levels we’ve never seen before.
It is worth noting that all the above has happened in Southern California. It’s a state so many people are quick to write off—they can’t get out of here fast enough. Yet God is working here just as He worked in previous generations.
It was in California where we experienced the last great spiritual awakening in the 1960s and ‘70s, known as the Jesus Revolution. In fact, Pirate’s Cove Beach was the exact location of the mass baptisms that took place over 50 years ago during that movement, and that is where the baptism scenes for the 2023 film, Jesus Revolution, were really shot.
There is no doubt that many people have been inspired by the scenes from that film and wanted to be baptized in the same spot. Last year, an 85-year-old man watched the film and prayed to receive Christ. He was determined to go and be baptized in the same spot where that film was shot. And he was.
A mother wrote to us this year saying how her family has been transformed by the Harvest Crusade and how her two teenage sons asked to be baptized at Pirate’s Cove.
We’re seeing God move across generational and demographic lines—from the old, to millennials and Gen Z. They’re looking for answers, and they’re finding them in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Secret Weapons of the Church
In these unprecedented times, therefore, I believe the church’s calling is not political or social. Rather, it’s to use the secret weapons that God has ordained which we neglect to our own peril.
I’m talking about evangelism and prayer.
First, we need to evangelize. It is my belief that most Americans have never heard an accurate, understandable presentation of the gospel. They’ve heard the word “gospel,” or maybe they’ve heard variations of gospel preaching, but have they actually heard the gospel message presented in a way they can comprehend and respond to?
Most of my time as a pastor, I’m teaching through the Bible, but when I do Harvest Crusade events, it’s as if I put a different hat on. My evangelist hat. My job at that moment is to preach for a decision. I’m going to tell people who Jesus is, what He promised, how to come into a relationship with Him, and give them that opportunity with a prayer.
Years ago, I was having dinner at evangelist Billy Graham’s house, and I turned to him and asked, “If an older Billy could speak to a younger Billy, what advice would you give yourself?”
Billy said, “I would preach more on the cross of Christ and the blood, that’s where the power is.”
Let us not neglect the power of the simple gospel message.
Second, we need to pray. It’s no accident that at the end of every Harvest Crusade I extend everyone an invitation to come onto the field and pray the Sinner’s Prayer. It’s not a magic prayer. But it’s a simple, biblical prayer of faith for someone to accept Christ as Lord and Savior:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen.
Over 700,000 people have prayed that prayer through our Harvest Crusade outreach events. It’s a prayer that you can pray in faith, even right now, wherever you are. And just as it has transformed hundreds of thousands of lives, it can transform yours today.
Do It Again, Lord!
Instead of lamenting the culture around us, I choose to look at this moment in our world as an unprecedented opportunity for the message of the gospel.
There’s still a lot of uncertainty in the air. We do not know exactly what the future holds. But here’s what we do know: The gospel is like fresh water in a thirsty land. It’s a bright light in a very dark place.
All these signs seem indicative of a coming move of God that will sweep our land just as He moved 50 years ago. I pray that it is, and I hope you’ll join me in praying, “Do it again, Lord!”
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