Holiday Survival 101

Prayer is powerful!

Joyce Meyer
2 min read
Holiday Survival 101

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

And just like every holiday season, there’s a very good chance you’ll encounter friends or family members who do not share your Christian beliefs.

What will you do if things get awkward? What if the family begins to feud? And most importantly, how do you share Christ and love people right in the midst of it all?

Relax…you’ll be okay! Here’s how to represent Christ well and inspire people to want to know Him.

Prayer is powerful!

Pray before, during and after gathering with friends and family. Ask God to give you wisdom to know how and when to speak, and to help you love them unconditionally (see James 1:5). Pray that He will change their hearts and draw them to the truth in His Word (see 2 Corinthians 4:4). And pray that they will discover God’s love for them, and their need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

Avoid the drama

You might be the only representative of Christ they see (see 1 Peter 3:1-2), and they will know you’re authentic by the way you love people (see John 13:35). So if folks start to complain…don’t even “go there” with them.

Be an encourager! Help people gain a positive perspective and see the good in their circumstances and in others. Help them to reconcile rather than stay offended, and be sure to guard yourself from becoming offended or burdened with other people’s issues (see Proverbs 4:23, James 1:19, and Luke 21:34).

The “saving” part belongs to God.

The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts and convinces people of sin, not us (see John 16:8). And we receive salvation by God’s grace through faith, not because of hard work or persuasion.

So pray for people and love them unconditionally. And when the time comes to lead someone in prayer to accept Christ, God will make it clear. You just need to be ready (see 1 Peter 3:15).

Sharing the Gospel and helping someone to know Jesus is an honor and privilege we have as believers. When God opens this opportunity to you, offer to pray with your friend or family member. And remember to invite them to church or help them find a church family near them so they can continue growing in their faith.