Evangelism Becomes Easier with C.A.S.T.
As Christ-followers we are as responsible to obey the Great Commission as the disciples were more than 2,000 years ago. And, being in a children’s ministry, we have the unique privilege of having godly discussions with kids at least weekly. But what about people you meet outside of club?
For some of us, verbally sharing the Gospel with others comes as easily as breathing. But for others of us, our fear can be paralyzing.
Recently I was in an eight-week Bible Study at church that included a wonderful group of godly women. Among them was Barbara, a self-professed evangelist. Every week we would gather to discuss the latest reading and talk about where we saw God move in our lives. Without fail, Barbara would talk about the various people she had met and brought to Christ. She sounded very much like the female version of Awana Co-founder Art Rorheim, who was always sharing the Gospel message with those he crossed paths with, often praying with them to accept Jesus.
Intrigued, we asked Barbara to share how she did it. She explained that each day she prays a very specific prayer she made up and calls the C.A.S.T.© prayer. This prayer helps her to be a fisher of men on a daily basis.
- Ask the Lord each day to make you an empty cleansed vessel, eliminating any fear or concerns and making you ready for His work.
- Tell the Lord each day you’re available to witness for Him.
- Ask the Lord each day to send you someone to witness to.
- Ask the Lord each day to tell you what to say to the one He sends.
Barbara finds that often, as soon as she prays this way, God brings someone across her path, giving her the words that open the door to a conversation about Christ.
It can be a neighbor: “Don’t we live in a great community? There are so many wonderful things to do and churches to go to. I go to church just down the street where I learn about Jesus. How about you? What church do you go to?”
It can be the person she requests to help her to her car at the grocery store: “It was so nice of you to take time out of your busy day to help me with my groceries. I sure hope you get some time off to relax. Do you get Sunday off? Sunday is the day I go to church. …”
It can be the bank teller: “Thank you for helping me with my account. I’m so grateful to bank here – and grateful to God for how He provides for me. Do you know God provides for you, too? Did you know His Son Jesus died on the cross to provide a way for you to be in heaven for all eternity? …”
“It’s simple,” she says, “and anyone can do it. Remember, your job is to tell people about Christ and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. You may be only a seed or you may be the person who helps them pray for salvation.
“But it starts with a simple prayer.”
So, for all who find verbally evangelizing a challenge, will you join me in praying the C.A.S.T. prayer and see where it leads? I look forward to hearing in the comments how God is moving in your life.
And while you pray daily for God to bring you someone who needs to know about Him, please join the Awana staff in praying for our ministry around the world by downloading the Awana Prayer Calendar. Each day includes a specific prayer request or praise. You can also sign up to be an Awana Prayer Partner and receive the calendar monthly in your inbox.
Carla’s work at Awana has been on the communications and marketing teams. It is important to her that Awana leaders and volunteers have the information they need to best disciple the kids in their care, and that these kids grow to become disciplemakers, themselves. When Carla is not at work, she enjoys walking with friends, taking pictures of birds and sunsets, or exploring new places with her husband and daughter.
