As I read today’s passage I found myself wondering how far Jesus’ instructions can be taken as a manual for Evangelism today. Jesus selected the twelve disciples after spending the night in prayer asking God whom He should send. (Luke 6:12) We know that they came from different walks of life: fishermen, a tax collector, a Zealot (political activist) and even someone who would ultimately betray him. We can never discount anyone as a possible bringer of God’s word. A child may stand up in church and give us a message. At a recent Healing Service, someone who admitted to never having heard from God before spoke into the life of one of the Prayer Ministry team.

How we should evangelise is mentioned three times in this reading: proclaiming the Good News is linked with healing the sick and driving out demons. We are citizens of heaven and can bring heaven to earth when we pray for healing and introduce those we meet to Jesus – the Healer. Our testimony to what God has done in our lives attracts other people to want the same. As a teenager I can still remember being taken by the Vicar of our church to hear people such as Nicky Cruz speak. From being the leader of the Mau Maus street gang, Nicky gave his life to Jesus after a religious crusade and his gang turned in all the weapons they used: bricks, guns and knives. Nicky became a preacher, author and evangelist after returning to his old neighbourhood and converting other gangs to Christianity. He travelled the world and led thousands to Christ.

Jesus did not promise a trouble-free existence to those he sent out. He said that those he sent as sheep amongst wolves would find their own relatives and friends turning against them because of their closeness to him. He assured them and us, however, that he goes with us wherever we go and gives us the words to say when we need them. He reassures us that even if our lives are threatened (and many people have literally given their lives rather than deny Jesus) our souls are safe. Our attempts at living the Christian life in this world will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father who loves us so much that He even numbers the hairs of our head.

We are left with the feeling that “All will be well and all manner of things will be well” (Julian of Norwich) even though things can get tough.

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Lord, we pray for our weak attempts to stand up for You in this life: please assure us of Your Presence with us today. Amen.