04. Pray Until You Know Your Next Step
Article 04
Pray Until You Know Your Next Step
Article 04
You may not know everything God wants to do through you. But you can ask Him what obedience looks like today.
Someone’s name keeps coming to mind.
A neighbor. An old friend. A person who is struggling.
You wonder whether you should call, offer to pray, or invite them to discover what the Bible says about Jesus.
Then the questions begin.
What would I say? What if they aren’t interested? What if I make a mistake?
So you wait.
Sometimes we need to wait on God. Sometimes we need to act on what He has already made clear.
Prayer helps us bring our fears before God and become willing to obey.
Consider what happened in Acts 13:1–3.
The believers in Antioch were worshiping the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit directed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work He had called them to do.
They prayed, laid hands on them, and sent them.
Their time with God led to a concrete response. Two men were released for work that would carry the gospel into new communities.
What might happen if we approached prayer with that same readiness?
“Lord, I am available. Show me my next step.”
You do not need a complete strategy before you begin praying. Bring God your questions. Open your Bible. Ask for wisdom. Listen carefully, and seek counsel from mature believers when you need help discerning a decision.
You can pray:
“Who around me needs encouragement?”
“Who could I invite to read a story about Jesus?”
“Who could I help learn to make disciples?”
“What have You already shown me that I have been reluctant to do?”
Ask God for direction—and for the courage to follow it.
Your next step may be small.
Make the phone call.
Ask your neighbor, “Is there something I could pray about for you?”
Invite a friend to explore a story from Jesus’ life.
Gather two or three people to begin Zúme training.
A simple act of obedience can create an opportunity you could never have planned.
You may have years of experience, relationships built over decades, and time you once wished you had. Bring those things before the Lord. Ask how He wants you to use them now.
Our desire to help finish the Great Commission by 2033 gives urgency to the work. Today, that work may begin with one person whose name you already know.
Pray until you know your next step. Then take it—even if you still feel nervous.
You do not have to feel fearless to obey Jesus.
Your step today: Set aside fifteen minutes. Read Luke 10:1–9. Ask God whom you could approach with prayer, peace, and an invitation to discover Jesus. Write down one concrete action consistent with Scripture, and begin taking that step.
Keep praying as you go.
Someone may be waiting for the conversation you have been praying about.
Want to go further?
Take the ten Zúme lessons. Learn practical ways to follow Jesus, make disciples, and help others do the same. Ask me for the link to my Zúme teaching series.
Let’s connect. If you would like help taking your next step, message me. I would be glad to coach you as you begin.
Help encourage those doing the work. Your gift would be tax deductible and overseen by Northside Christian Church, our sending church. There are many we coach that could use encouragement in small ways to accomplish great things.
Terry Ruff
DMM Catalyst & Zúme Trainer | Missionary at Northside Christian Church
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1q1YgyVqO8
Join Terry’s free Zúme training: https://zume.training/join-a-training
Training page: https://internationalafricanmobilization.com/training/terrys-zume-teaching-series/
Next Steps form: https://airtable.com/appUh4Y3McdFcQ8Xg/pagCyMWEWZbPNlyH5/form
Free Scripture video in your language (works offline): https://internationalafricanmobilization.com/bible-video-in-your-language/
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