Prayer Evangelism

by Ed Silvoso

As a result of the growing worldwide prayer movement, powerful changes have taken place in the Church and in scattered cities transformations beyond anything imaginable only a few years ago. Of the revelations to come out of this movement, perhaps the most dramatic and promising is the rediscovery of biblical principles for changing the spiritual climate over entire cities and regions. Fulfillment of the Great Commission is no longer a distant hope but rather is a fast-approaching reality for a Church that will take hold of and utilize the biblical principles for changing cities as described in "That All Should Hear." In it Ed Silvoso shares his heart and his passion for reaching cities the way the Early Church did it: the whole Church modeling the whole gospel to the whole city thorugh prayer and prayerful evangelism.

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Theology

252 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2000

About the author

Ed Silvoso is an Argentinian Christian author and documentarian. He is the founder of Harvest Evangelism and the International Transformation Network, the objective of which is to end worldwide systemic poverty. He is a leader of the Argentine Revival and of the modern transformation movement.

Silvoso has written extensively on spiritual transformation in volumes that contain the principles and paradigms generally adopted in the movement. These books provide significant biographical information that helps to trace its origins as well as the personal journey he took that resulted in becoming one of its principal figures.

from Wikipedia

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked his emphasis on prayer and evangelism as two things that are not completely separate but go hand in hand. I was definitely encouraged by the stories of how entire cities have been changed when Christians, especially pastors, gathered together, dedicating themselves to prayer. His insight on prophetic acts was certainly inspiring and his use of Luke 10:5,8,9 as Christ's model of evangelism certainly showed how much many churches' methods of evangelism have strayed from the method Christ taught his disciples.

One of my favorite passages was on Matt. 9:37 and Luke 10:2:
"This is our problem today: We are allergic to wheat. We do not care to associate with the lost, so we hide in our barns, praying for a wind of revival powerful enough to uproot the wheat and blow it into the barn!" (198)

Another passage reminded me of the importance of continually drawing closer to God instead of allowing ministry to distract me from the main purpose: "Reaching a city for Christ is important, but it pales in comparison to drawing near to Jesus. Our objective cannot be to reach a city; it must be intimacy with Jesus. If we are going to walk on water, it cannot be to display our faith but to draw closer to Him. Whether we reach a city or not, our driving passion has to be intimacy with the Lord...Let us make Jesus our only consuming passion. Then, and only then, will we be ready to see our cities transformed." (250, 252)

[Mark Manderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

Top takeaways:

WHEN WE FOCUS ON OUR WOUNDS, WE ARE DISTRACTED FROM THE OTHER ANCHOR POINT, WHICH IS THE DEVIL SO IT IS IN THESE TRIALS THAT WHEN WE JUMP BACK UP, WE DO THE MOST DAMAGE TO THE OPPOSITION
THE DEVIL WANTS US FOCUSED ON OUR PAIN AND NOT HIS. THAT IS THE DEVIL‘S SECRET TACTIC.
To be successful, a liar must cover up their lies.
4 STEP EVANGELISM
PRAYER OF PEACE
FELLOWSHIP
CARING
MINISTRY
PRAY, BLESSINGS OVER PEOPLE AND PLACES
Spend time with non-believers eating and receiving from them. Do not judge them and just look to be with them.
PRAYER INCREASES TRANQUILITY
THE TACTIC TO BEAT THE DEVIL IS TO WALK IN PEACE. THIS IS WHERE HE FLEAS AND ATTEMPTS FROM AFAR.
GRACE THEN TRUTH TO CONNECT
CHP 9:
Ex of why children are powerful prayers.
Their innocent and pure
They see angels
They talk directly to God and listen.
HOLINESS COMES FROM EXPECTATIONS OF BLESSINGS.

[William Schrecengost · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basics in this book is excellent. I liked how he tied prayer to evangelism and his emphasis to do pre-evangelism by getting to know people and build relationships with them before bringing them the gospel.

He is Pentecostal and it shows at numerous points in this book. Sometimes his practices are good, but his exegetical arguments for those practices are cringeworthy. Other things (like children leading worship or that there is no clergy) I strongly disagreed with, but aren’t unexpected understanding where he’s coming from.

[Christina Arvemian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally have a holistic grasp of what this Ekklesia is that Jesus is building up and feel excited, rather than burdened, to be a part of it. Silvoso talks about how evangelism is not about us going and convincing people to believe in Jesus, but to create opportunities for them to encounter him themselves and let Jesus do the convincing. A very inspiring, biblical, and practical book.

[Ryane Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

This a very powerful book.. wow
I would definitely recommend everyone to read and reread this book, digest it until it enters your system. This is definitely one I need to read multiple times, there’s so much powerful information that it contains..

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical and challenging approach to evangelism.

[Rachel N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assigned by my pastor for our leadership team to read.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

His most interesting point about transforming your city was his emphasis on praying peace for people as the first step of evangelism, based on Jesus' instructions when He sent out the 70.

[Werner J. Swart]

Wonderful hope for our cities with loads of practical applications!

[Don Starks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving our city

Very practical applicator of principles that can be used to save a city, a country and a world. Read it for yourself.

[Kevin & · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! You won't regret reading this book!

You will learn the power of peacr, and how simple it is to start evangelizing your neighborhood! Go for it!

[Charity Cole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the theology is a little out there. I can’t recommend this book.

[Nancy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study

I love the telling of what works and does not work, as well as the reasons behind each. Prayer is powerful force as we focus on Jesus