How to Bring Someone to Christ
Updated: Aug 31
Through Prayer, Love and the Word
The Biblical Foundation of Evangelism
Every true movement of evangelism begins with prayer. Therefore, it is essential that our prayers be grounded in the Word of God. When we pray the Word, we release spiritual life and authority, for “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Declaring the Lord’s promises in prayer paves the way for faith to grow in us, guarantees God’s answer (Jeremiah 1:12), and prepares people’s hearts to receive the gospel message.
Many confuse evangelism with simply handing out pamphlets or inviting someone to a service. While this can be helpful, it is not evangelism. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The word gospel means “good news.” Our calling is to proclaim the good news: that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die and rise again, to give us forgiveness, eternal life, and reconciliation with the Father.
Furthermore, Jesus Himself commanded us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). Because of this, it is important that we include discipleship and, whenever possible, disciple those who surrender to Jesus—even online—so that they grow in faith and remain steadfast on the path.
It is not in our power to convince anyone. Jesus said, “And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). Only the Holy Spirit can open spiritual eyes and transform hearts. Our role is to faithfully proclaim the good news; the power to bring new life belongs to God alone.
We need to make it clear to people that there is no salvation without true repentance. John the Baptist preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus Himself began His ministry by saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Peter, on the day of Pentecost, declared, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Repentance is a gift from God—a change of mind and direction, a decision to turn from sin and turn wholly to God.
However, Christ has placed a responsibility on the Church, and we need to be intentional in sharing the full gospel of Christ and truly extending the invitation to salvation. Many simply share the message but fail to ask the person if they want to surrender to Christ.
The Fruit of This Biblical Method
It’s important to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in each situation—to discern how the individual needs to be approached and hear the message. However, there are certain fundamental biblical principles that must be present in our sharing so the person truly passes from darkness to light, rather than merely thinking they have.
There is a missionary who has seen immense fruit in her ministry—over eight million people have received Christ! On one occasion, she partially applied the method taught below with one hundred people, and ninety-nine of them gave their lives to Christ. This demonstrates that when we follow the principles of the Word with faith and prayer, the Lord can use us in powerful ways.
Connecting with People
Make a list of people you know who aren't yet converted—people you see often, even if you don’t know their names (for example, at the grocery store, work, college, your children’s school, the gym, or in your neighborhood).
Begin praying for them daily, declaring God’s Word over their lives. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). (Below is a prayer for you to pray, based entirely on the Word of God.)
When you have the opportunity to see them, tell them you want to talk about something very important—and that it’s good news.
Ask if they have ten to fifteen minutes available right then. If not, arrange another time that works for both of you.
Continue praying for them until that moment, believing that the Holy Spirit is already preparing their hearts.
On the day of your meeting, apply the method taught later in this guide.
Fear: The Enemy's Powerful Weapon Against Evangelism
Fear of how others will react or what they might think has prevented many believers from sharing the Good News, causing them to disobey Christ’s command. If you struggle with this kind of fear, ask God for forgiveness, renounce that fear, and then—start!
Practical Advice
A practical tip for those who are shy is to set a simple first goal: “I’ll at least greet the person, and then I’ll see what I can do.” When the moment comes, take the next step as the Holy Spirit leads.
It won’t always unfold the way you imagined—probably never. But remember: the Holy Spirit Himself lives within you, and He cares more about saving this person than you ever could.
Never forget that without Christ, this person is lost for eternity. This is why you’re doing this. Let Jesus’ own compassion for them fill your heart. That is another reason to begin praying for them long before you speak with them.
Prayer for the Conversion of Unbelievers
(Put the name(s) of the person(s) in place of ________ while praying.)
"Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), I come before You to intercede for ________. According to Your Word (2 Peter 3:9), You are not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Therefore, I know this prayer is according to Your will and that You hear me. And because You hear me, I know that I have received what I ask of You (1 John 5:14–15).
Lord God, You are in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to Yourself, not counting people’s sins against them (2 Corinthians 5:19). The reason ________ has not yet received forgiveness of sins is that Satan, the ruler of this world, has blinded his (her) mind so that he (she) cannot see the light of the gospel or the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2).
Therefore, my struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against Satan, to destroy his strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3–4). In the name of Jesus Christ, I bind Satan and his demons from the life of ________ (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:19–20).
By faith, I declare that ________ belongs to You, Lord, because You purchased him (her) with the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20). In Christ, ________ has redemption through Your blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of Your grace (Ephesians 1:7).
Now, Father, while Satan is bound, I pray that Your Holy Spirit will convict ________ of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7–8). Draw ________ to Christ and give him (her) a deep desire to come to Jesus (John 6:44).
Grant ________ a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full and intimate knowledge of You. Enlighten the eyes of his (her) understanding, that he (she) may know You and comprehend the hope of Your calling (Ephesians 1:17–18).
Father, send people across ________’s path who will speak Your Word with truth and love—people whom ________ will listen to and believe (Matthew 9:38).
By faith, Father, I declare that the works of the devil are destroyed in ________’s life (1 John 3:8). His (her) eyes are opened, turning from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to You. ________ receives the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in You (Acts 26:18).
By faith, I also declare that every argument and every pretension raised against the knowledge of God is destroyed in ________’s mind. Every thought is taken captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Let doubts, false ideas, the enemy’s lies, and pride be torn down in ________. May he (she) no longer conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, proving what is Your good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2).
Thank You, Father, for ensuring that Your Word is fulfilled in ________’s life. By faith, I can already see ________ saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, living for You, and bearing the fruit of the Spirit—love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I thank You, Lord, for doing this. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen (John 14:14)."
How to Lead a Person to Christ (10 Steps)
Step 1
We recommend that you always begin by sharing about God’s love for the person—that they were created simply to know God and to be loved by Him, not merely to serve Him or go to church. They were not created for church; they were created to be loved perfectly.
Explain that the good news you want to share has nothing to do with the Catholic or Evangelical church. It is about knowing their true Father, who created them for relationship and love (John 17:3).
Also explain that John 17 contains Christ’s final prayer before going to the cross. Therefore, these are among the most important things that were on His heart—and on the Father’s heart.
Step 2
Read John 17:23 to show how the Father loves His children: in the same way He loves Christ—with the same love He has for His Son.
Tell them:
“The Father loves you with the same love He has for Christ. He has never been angry at you; He never rejects you; He will never hurt you. He enjoys you and is proud of you in the same way.”
(If the person wants to listen further, you can continue talking about God’s love.)
Then transition to the reality that there is a problem: sin.
Tell the person:
“Everyone was created to be His child—but not everyone is a child of God. The Bible teaches us who the children of God are.”
Give the example from John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Finally, briefly share your personal testimony—how you met Jesus and how He transformed your life.
Step 3
Ask them if they would like to be assured that they are God’s child and that they can have a relationship with Him—both now and for eternity.
Ask if they want to experience the Heavenly Father’s love and receive the joy, peace, and abundant life He desires for them.
(If they do, continue to Step 4.)
Another Way to Start the Conversation
Ask the person:
“If you died today, are you sure you would go to heaven?”
Step 4
(It is best for the person to see and read the Scriptures aloud.)
Read Romans 3:23:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Ask them what this verse means to them.
Confirm that God says they—and everyone else—have sinned. Only Christ lived without sin.
Step 5
Read Romans 6:23:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Ask them what this verse means to them.
Explain that the result of sin is spiritual death—separation from God, both now and forever. But God's free gift is eternal life: reconciliation, fellowship, and everlasting relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
Step 6
Ask the person to read the following promises of salvation aloud. Then ask them these questions:
What is my part?
When I do my part, what does God promise to do?
What is God's part?
(If helpful, write "My Part" and "God's Part" on your phone, a piece of paper, or a whiteboard.)
Then explain:
Faith is simply believing that God does what He promises to do.
Step 7
Tell the person:
“God’s promises usually come with a condition. When we meet the condition, since God cannot lie, we can have faith that He will do what He said He would do.”
Have them read:
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
My part: To confess my sins.
(Repentance means having godly sorrow over my sin and turning from it to God with the intention of never repeating it.)
God’s part: To forgive me and cleanse me.
Step 8
Have them read:
John 1:12
“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
My part: To believe in the name of Jesus and receive Christ as Lord and Savior.
God’s part: To give me the right to become His child.
Step 9
Ask the person to read:
Romans 10:9–10
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
My part: To confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord—my Lord—and to believe in my heart that Jesus died and that God raised Him from the dead.
God’s part: To save me.
At this point, it is extremely important to explain what it truly means to make Jesus Lord. It means exchanging the life they have been living for the life Christ created them to have (Matthew 16:25). From this moment forward, He becomes the One who directs every area of their life. They are to seek Him in every decision, trusting Him to guide them—primarily through His Word and by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Their time, money, possessions, future, family, and every other part of their life now belong to Him.
Step 10
Ask the person:
“Do you want to receive the gift of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life? If so, repeat this simple prayer based on the verses you’ve read. In this prayer, you do your part, and God will do His. If you mean every word, you can be assured of your salvation.”
Emphasize that it is not the words themselves that save, but the genuine response of the heart.
If the person says yes, invite them to repeat this prayer after you. Encourage them to close their eyes and focus their attention on God as they pray.
Prayer of Salvation
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me to know You and Jesus Christ, Your Son. But sin has separated me from You. Thank You that You love me so much that You sent Jesus to demonstrate Your love and to take my punishment for all my sins. First, I forgive all who have offended and hurt me (Matthew 6:14–15). I confess that I have sinned, and I repent of all my sins. I ask for Your forgiveness. Thank You that, according to Your promise, I am forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. I believe in Your name, Jesus, and I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I choose to die to myself and live for You. Thank You, Heavenly Father, because, according to Your promise, I am Your child, for I receive Jesus and believe in His name. I confess with my mouth that You, Jesus, are my Lord. From now on it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. I lose my life to gain Yours. I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God, that He was crucified, died, and rose again on the third day. So, according to Your promise, Father, I am saved! Thank You, Heavenly Father, because I am Your child, I am forgiven, and I have a new and clean heart and the gift of eternal life. Thank You because I know that if I die today, I will go to heaven. Help me to walk in daily fellowship with You. Teach me to love and obey You more and more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Celebrate with the person who is now your brother or sister in Christ and warmly welcome them into God's family.
There is joy and celebration in heaven when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7).
Pray that they will experience God's presence, and encourage them to be baptized as soon as possible.
Finally, get their full name and contact information so you can stay in touch and begin discipling them—or immediately connect them with someone who will. Continue praying for them daily (Matthew 28:19–20).
Put Your Faith into Action
Now it's your turn.
Don't let this guide become something you simply read. Ask the Holy Spirit to place one or more people on your heart. Begin praying for them today using the biblical prayer in this guide. Ask God to prepare their hearts, give you opportunities to share the gospel, and fill you with His love and boldness.
Remember: you are not responsible for changing anyone's heart. Only the Holy Spirit can bring conviction and new life. Your responsibility is simply to love, pray, faithfully share the good news of Jesus Christ, and invite people to respond to Him. One conversation can change an eternity.
Whether you lead one person to Christ or many, your obedience matters. Together, we are believing for a worldwide harvest as the Church proclaims the gospel with love, boldness, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Join the 21 Days of Global Harvest
This year, believers from around the world will unite for 21 Days of Global Harvest, dedicating themselves to praying for the lost and intentionally sharing the gospel with those God places in their path.
