What a day! As she drove home from work, something caught her eye. A young man standing in front of a church held a big sign that read “Free Drive-Through Prayer.” She’d hardly noticed that church before today. “Oh, why not?” she thought and swerved into the driveway.
DavisYour church could provide the blessing of “drive-through prayer” for your community. It’s an outreach project, where the community comes to you!
Recruit a variety of friendly church members to help. Gather witnessing tracts, church brochures, pens and New Testaments or other Scripture gift books. Print registration cards with two blanks for name and address or e-mail, and prepare a large sign. Spruce up the church’s exterior and you’re ready.
She turned into the parking lot and saw a group of church members ready to pray. The assortment of ages, ethnicity and personality was intriguing. They obviously liked one another and were enthused about the prayer project. One person directed her where to stop, and an elderly woman rushed over to the car, using her walker and smiling broadly.
Approach the car, introduce yourself and welcome them warmly. Hand them a registration card and pen, politely asking for their contact information so you can follow up on their prayer. While they write, share some exciting things God is doing in your church and invite them to Sunday’s worship. Ask if they have any specific prayer request. Before you pray, ask a question about their relationship with God.
The elderly woman listened intently to her prayer request, then said, “Now before we pray, I just have to ask you one question. If you happened to have a fatal car wreck between here and your home, do you know for sure that you’ll spend eternity with God in heaven?”
You may prefer to say something like, “If you don’t know God personally, I hope you’ll read this tract.” Then simply give them the materials, stating, “Just let me know if you’d like to talk more about God. Now let’s pray.” Touch their arm, bow your head, and voice a sincere prayer for them. If they had a specific request, be sure to pray about it.
“Drive-through” means brief. No lines. No entrapment. Relaxed, but purposefully expedient. Your goal is to plant seeds of friendship and witness, offer a heartfelt prayer, and invite them to worship. The car should be driving away within four minutes. You can vary the plan. If it’s hot, offer “free drive-through prayer and bottled water.” If it’s early morning, serve “free drive-through prayer and coffee.” Afterward, send a follow-up letter to reinforce the worship invitation. Then if they show up on Sunday, joyfully welcome them. And keep on praying.
The lady with the walker waved energetically as she drove away. “Hope to see you Sunday!” she called. “I’ll be praying for you.”
– Davis is an author, speaker and wife of Indiana Baptist Convention’s executive director. Visit www.keeponshining.com.
Note to my friends in South Carolina: I’m coming to your state in the fall.
Just wanted to let you know that I’ll get to lead the South Carolina Ministers’ Wives’ retreat next Nov. 5-6 at White Oak Conference Center.
More information is on South Carolina Baptist Convention’s website or S.W.A.T. facebook page. (Minister’s wife group is called SWAT – Staff Wives Affecting Tomorrow.)
Please pray it will be a special blessing and encouragement to each of these important leaders. Hope I’ll get to see you or your pastor’s wife there. Keep on shining!
Diana Davis