The last couple of weeks we have been exploring the concept of ministry for the laymen of the church assembly. In this Witnessing In The Workplace series, the first discussion I questioned to whom is the responsibility of ministry given. The second discussion sought to examine the opportunity of ministry for the layman, and issued a challenge for all laymen concerning their workplace.
If we are serious about witnessing in the workplace, I believe there are at least three things to keep in mind. Below I discuss the first of these three things.
Pray.
I remember working at a place and there was a particular coworker of mine that I did not enjoy working with. However, I worked with this employee more than any of the other employees. I truly dreaded working with this person. Then one day it hit me. It was like a voice said, “You spend all of this time around this person and you have never even tried to have a spiritual conversation with them – no, rather you spend your time hiding your annoyance with them.” I was convicted.
That same morning I prayed. I prayed the same prayer that the Apostle Paul asked the “saints and faithful brethren in CHRIST who [were] in Colosse” to pray: “that GOD would open to us a door for the word…” (Colossians 4:3b).
We revere the Apostle Paul and we hold him in great esteem because of what GOD accomplished through him. This Apostle Paul that we revere was very dependent on the LORD when proclaiming the Gospel. But not only that, the Apostle Paul was dependent on the LORD to create opportunities for him to proclaim the Gospel. Just read through the Book of Acts and see how GOD created opportunities for HIS saints to proclaim the good news of JESUS the CHRIST.
So, if the Apostle Paul prays to GOD for doors to be opened for the word to be preached, then why shouldn’t I? If I want to be intentional about witnessing to my coworkers, then I need to be intentional in seeking GOD (and asking others to seek GOD as well) to open doors for me to proclaim HIS Gospel. That was the prayer I prayed that particular morning. When I went to work that same day, with that same coworker, everything was essentially the same. Everything was basically normal. Then, it happened. Out of nowhere she begins to volunteer information on some trials she was having in her life. I didn’t ask her to divulge this information. She literally began to spill her proverbial guts about all of her life’s hardships.
As if I was not able to recognize my morning prayer being answered right before my eyes; as if I could not see the door being opened, suddenly the door was kicked off the hinges. She finished her soliloquy and then turned to me and said, “If you were in my situation, what would you do?” If that isn’t an open door I don’t know what is. She voluntarily invited my uninhibited commentary on her situation. Wow!
GOD can do more than you ever can imagine doing yourself. Pray. Pray for HIM to open the door.
Maybe some of you are timid, or afraid to speak (there are plenty of times that I am). Pray for boldness. The first century saints prayed for boldness to speak the word of the LORD (Acts 4:29). Let us do the same.
Maybe some of you are not sure of what to say or how to say it (this happens to me as well). Pray. Pray for wisdom. Pray for the LORD to help you speak as you should. James 1:5 says that if you lack wisdom you can pray to GOD because HE gives wisdom liberally. Colossians 4:4, the Apostle Paul asked the saints of Colosse to pray that he may speak as he ought to speak. Let us do the same.
Let’s depend on the LORD when witnessing. Pray.
