We can learn a lot from the servant of God, Joshua. Remember the story of Joshua and the Israelites conquering Jericho. That victory came after Joshua sought God’s face, and humbled Himself before the Almighty God. Joshua was contrite. He was meek - humble. He realized his success was because of God.

But, after Jericho, Joshua and his troops set out to take over another town - Ai. And they suddenly seemed to forget that they are God’s servants. They forgot that their success in Jericho was only by the Lord’s hand. So they failed to ask God for direction in Ai.

Ultimately, Joshua and the Israelites forgot to aim for holiness, first. There was sin in Joshua’s camp that had to be dealt with before the Lord could help them. So when the army tried to take Ai by themselves, they did not have victory. God had to remind them again that He wants purity. He wants holiness. There’s nothing more important.

My friend, God has great evangelistic victory for us. But first, He wants our hearts, our souls, our minds. He wants all of us. Why not surrender yourself again - today - to become holy for the Lord? Make a fresh start! He will use you in unimaginable ways to reach your world for Jesus Christ!

Most of us know the story of how Joshua and his army defeated the city of Jericho. But it’s important to remember that before Joshua’s success, he was on his knees before God. In Joshua 5, we read that before the Israelite army heads to Jericho, the Lord appears to Joshua as a soldier. Joshua asks the soldier, “Are you for us? Or against us?” The Lord replies, “I am here as commander of the Lord’s army.”

In other words, God says, “I didn’t come to take sides. I came to take over.” Joshua falls on his face and asks: “What does my Lord say to his servant?”

What did the Lord say to Joshua? “Take off your shoes,” He said, “for the place where you stand is holy.” Holiness. That’s what God wanted from Joshua. He didn’t give Joshua a plan of action for conquering Jericho. God tells Joshua that later. But, the first thing the Lord says is, “Be holy.”

The best way to find success in evangelism, is to aim for holiness first. So, why not pray about it? Ask God to reveal to you any area in your life that’s not ’above reproach.’ It will be worth it! As you get your heart right before God, you’ll have even greater success in winning your friends to Jesus Christ.

After taking a serious fall, an older gentleman named Luke Mulder prayed to receive Jesus Christ. He then prayed for his wife, Clara, who was away visiting her sister in California. That very same day, Clara heard a Gospel presentation and made the decision to trust Christ.

Coincidence? Hardly! Many people think prayer is complicated. The truth is that the simplest prayer can bring you the miracle you need, when you need it. Sometimes all we have to do is pray and God says, “Yes, I thought you’d never ask.”

My friend, are you praying for the lost people in your life? The Bible says, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” God wants to bless you. He wants to bless your loved ones with a relationship with Himself. Do not give up praying for them. God wants them to be a part of His family!

The Bible says to “pray without ceasing,” and I encourage you to do just that! Don’t ever give up. It doesn’t matter how far away from the Lord your loved one is, keep praying! Don’t quit. Continue to show them God’s love and perhaps, in time, God will use you to bring them back to himself. What could be more exciting than that!

Australian David Smallbone felt God’s call on his life to promote Christian concerts. He started in his home country, then moved to the United States, where his career went from bad to worse. Soon he had no job at all. He and his wife prayed to God for help.

Then, interesting things began to happen. God provided bags of groceries, a minivan, and odd jobs. But the biggest surprise? A recording contract for David’s oldest daughter, Rebecca, when she was just fifteen years old. She recorded her first album using an old family name, St. James. Rebecca St. James quickly became one of the hottest Christian artists in America. And David began promoting his own daughter’s sold-out concerts!

All along, God knew what He was doing. Sometimes God will answer our requests with, “Yes, and here’s MORE!” In the Bible, the Lord says, “For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and … to give you hope and a future.”

Get ready for God’s answer to your prayers when you pray that your friends will come to know Him. He loves to draw people to His side and just may do MORE than we dare ask for. So, don’t give up. Keep praying and keep sharing the love of Christ!