What did Jesus do in building relationships with lost people? We have identified four phases in building grace and truth relationships – personal preparation, initiate conversations, invest relationally, and proclaim patiently. In this article, we will observe how Jesus modeled personal preparation before performing disciple-making ministry from two Bible passages.

Mark 1:35-38, "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, ‘Everyone is looking for You.’ But He said to them, ‘Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because of this purpose I have come forth.’”

Luke 6:12-13, “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”

How did Jesus model personal preparation in these two passages? Simply, Jesus prayed to the Father. He made prayer a priority – “in the morning” (Mark 1:35). He spent time alone with His Heavenly Father – “solitary” (Mark 1:35). He was sensitive to the Father’s leading to where He served (Mark 1:38). He was dedicated to praying to God – “all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). He talked to God before calling His disciples (Luke 6:13).

The first evangelism skill we need to practice is to rely on God. Here are five Scriptural prayers to pray to God weekly.

• MONDAY: Pray for Harvesters (Matthew 9:37-38)
• TUESDAY: Pray for Opportunities (Colossians 4:3)
• WEDNESDAY: Pray for Boldness (Ephesians 6:18-20)
• THURSDAY: Pray for Clarity (Colossians 4:3-4)
• FRIDAY: Pray for Receptive Hearts (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

Let me encourage you to faithfully pray these prayers to God and be watchful to see God work. Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”