A couple Sundays ago, we kicked off “Operation Andrew,” a church-wide effort to pray for those who don’t know Christ and invite them to believe in Jesus. So far, I’ve challenged you to (1) List the names of ten people who don’t know Christ and pray for them every day, and (2) let them know you’re praying for them.

How’s it going? Who is on your list? Where do you keep your list? What time of day do you look it over and pray through the names? Have you had the chance to tell anyone on your list that they are in your prayers?

The truth is that you may not have started yet. For one reason or another, you’ve hesitated. Maybe you’ve got a lot on your plate and you’re just busy. I get it. If you’ve got emails to answer and papers to sign and chores to complete and supper to cook and—I digress!—it’s tough to add one more thing.

Stop what you’re doing right now, for just 60 seconds. Close your eyes and ask, “God, who is the first person you want me to pray for?” Then wait for just a minute. You can spare a minute! I believe God will bring someone to mind. Don’t read on till you’ve done this!

Perhaps you hesitate because there’s something about the process or the program that turns you off. You’d rather your evangelistic efforts feel more organic or natural. The name “Operation Andrew” is a little too cute, the steps too simplistic.

Do you remember the story of Naaman? He nearly missed on out God’s healing power because he was too proud to bathe in the Jordan River. Not to be unkind, but I suggest your mentality may be the same. Yes, I mean that you may not want to do this because of pride.

You want to do some great thing for God; you want the story to be unique! While you wait on these ideal conditions, you do nothing. Friend, this is pride. The God who saved Israel with Gideon’s 300 can save your friends through simple prayer and gospel witness. Don’t overthink it. Let’s join in together and see what God might do!

Maybe you object because the friends who come to mind are not likely to believe. They are too settled in their unbelief, too unwilling to take spiritual things seriously.

But this is why we pray! God can soften a hard heart. Only God can! God can open blinded eyes and overcome the clever mental barriers of those who despise Him most. Besides, you can’t see the heart. You never know how God might be working in the lives of your friends or neighbors.

I’ve shared the gospel with more than one man that I thought was uninterested, only to learn that later the man accepted Christ. I wish I had had more confidence in the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray and wait, and you’d be surprised what God might do.

Maybe you haven’t started because you are afraid that beginning with step one might lead to step two, and then three, four, five, and so on! You wouldn’t mind praying for the lost but you’d prefer not to take things any further.

Let’s face it: you’re afraid. You are afraid of rejection. Or you’re afraid you’ll be asked a question and not know the answer. This is called the fear of man.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 29:25 that “the fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” That fear is a trap, a prison. It shackles you and keeps you from freely doing what God has called you to do.

The solution to the fear of man is not to fear nothing. It is to fear God. Which is worse? For you to experience a little rejection, or for your friend to spend eternity away from the presence of God?

The fact is that you don’t need to know the answers to every question. And you don’t need to receive the approval of your neighbors and acquaintances. Anyone who rejects the message of the gospel isn’t really rejecting you; they are rejecting Christ.

Here's the point: Get that bookmark out and jot down those names. Keep it in your Bible to mark your place. Spend a moment each morning praying for each person, and then take the next step.

I can’t wait to see how God is going to use these prayers in the coming months.