A Personal Challenge to Pray and Invite Others to Encounter Jesus

March 21st, 2026

Easter Invitation Journey: Part 1

Start With Prayer

Easter is almost here, and it’s one of the greatest opportunities we have as a church to invite people to meet Jesus.

Studies show that 82% of unchurched people would consider attending church if someone personally invited them, and Easter is one of the days when people are most open to saying yes.

That’s exciting, but let’s also be honest, it can feel intimidating, can’t it?

I know firsthand the challenge of consistently carrying a burden for others who need Jesus, while also overcoming the fear or hesitation that comes with inviting someone to church.
There’s always that little voice in your head saying,

What if they say no? What if this makes things awkward? What if I’m not the right person for this? But here’s what I’ve learned, and what I want to encourage you with:

We’re not in this alone.

The Holy Spirit is with us, working in our hearts and in the hearts of the people He’s calling us to invite. And prayer is the key to navigating both the burden we feel for others and the courage we need to follow through.

So, as we prepare for Easter, let’s commit to praying intentionally—for the people we plan to invite and for one another as we step out in faith. Here’s how we can do that together.

Praying for the People You’re Inviting

When you pray for someone you plan to invite, you’re doing more than asking God to help them say yes. You’re inviting God to go before you, work in their hearts, and prepare the way for them to encounter His love. Here are three specific ways to pray for them:

Pray for Their Hearts to Be Open

You can’t change someone’s heart, but God can.

In John 6:44, Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.”

This reminds us that salvation is God’s work, not ours.

Pray that God would soften their hearts and help them be receptive to your invitation.

Prayer Example:
Lord, I pray for [Name]. Please prepare their heart to hear Your invitation this Easter. Remove anything that might stand in the way of them saying yes, and help them to feel Your love through this simple invitation.

2. Pray Against Fear or Resistance

Sometimes people hesitate to come to church because of doubts, wounds, or fears.

Maybe they’ve been hurt in the past, or maybe they worry they won’t belong.

Pray that God would break through those barriers and give them peace about coming.

Prayer:
Lord, I know [Name] might have fears or doubts about coming to church. I ask that You would calm those fears, speak peace to their heart, and give them courage to take this step. Let them feel Your presence drawing them closer to You.

3. Pray for Their Encounter With Jesus

The goal isn’t just to get them to church, it’s for them to meet Jesus. Pray that when they hear the gospel on Easter, it would touch their heart in a life-changing way.

Romans 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Prayer:
Jesus, I pray that when [Name] hears the message this Easter, it would speak directly to their heart. Help them to see You clearly and to understand how much You love them. Let this be the beginning of a relationship with You.

Praying for Yourself and Others to Have Boldness

Let’s be real, inviting someone to church isn’t always easy. Even when you feel a burden for someone, fear or intimidation can creep in and make you second-guess yourself.

I’ve been there.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do this in your own strength.

God is with you, and He gives us the courage we need when we ask Him.

Pray for Boldness to Overcome Fear

Even the early church needed boldness.

In Acts 4:29, the disciples prayed, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness.”

If they needed courage, we do too. Pray that God would help you overcome fear and trust Him with the outcome.

Prayer:
Lord, I admit that I sometimes feel afraid or unsure about inviting others to church. Please give me boldness to overcome those fears. Help me to remember that You are with me and that this is about You, not me. Give me the courage to take this step of faith.

2. Pray for a Greater Burden for the Lost

It’s easy to lose sight of the urgency of inviting others to Jesus.

Life gets busy, and sometimes we forget how much people around us need Him.

Pray that God would stir your heart and give you His perspective on the people in your life.

Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Prayer Example:
Jesus, help me to see the people around me the way You see them. Give me a deeper burden for those who don’t know You. Break my heart for what breaks Yours, and help me to share Your love with urgency and compassion.

3. Pray for Your Church Family

We’re in this together.

As a church, we have the privilege of encouraging and supporting one another as we step out in faith.

Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ to have boldness, compassion, and perseverance as they invite others to Easter.

Hebrews 10:24–25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another.”

Prayer Example:
Lord, I pray for my church family. Give each of us the courage to invite someone to Easter this year. Help us to encourage and support one another, and remind us that we’re not alone in this. Use our church to shine Your light in our community.

Trusting God With the Results

Here’s the thing: Our job is to invite, but only God can change hearts.

We don’t have to carry the weight of whether someone says yes or no. Our responsibility is to be faithful, and then trust God to do the rest.

Isaiah 55:11
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

When we pray and invite, we can trust that God is at work, even if we don’t see the results right away.

A Final Encouragement

As Easter approaches, let’s commit to praying for the people we’re inviting, for one another, and for our church as a whole. Let’s take the burden we feel and lay it before God, asking Him to work through us and in the lives of those we’re reaching out to.

And remember: you are not alone in this.

God is with you, giving you courage and strength. Your church family is with you, praying and inviting alongside you.

And when you step out in faith—even if it feels scary—God will use your obedience to accomplish incredible things.

So, who will you invite this Easter? Begin praying for them today, and let’s believe together that God is going to do something amazing in their lives.