And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’“ (Luke 11:5-6).

You have no provision, but you have a late-hour visitor. What do you do?

The man in Jesus’s story in Luke 11:5-8 had an idea – go to his buddy and ask for help. The hour was his only concern. But is that not what friends are for in times of need?

His friend shocked him with the response to his request.

“Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you” (7).

However, he persisted until his sleeping friend’s empathy overcame him. Don’t you love a story with a happy ending? The man walked away, smiling and thanking God for his friend.

Some notable points in his story are applicable to evangelism.

First, the man had a need that concerned the welfare of a friend, and he cared enough to start a remedial action.

Second, though the man’s friend was sleeping, he was available.

Third, he was bold enough to take the risk of calling on his sleeping friend at that late hour.

Fourth, he knew his friend was kind and would not deny him any good thing. He will attend to him, given his persistence, if not for his friendship.

The end-time is upon us. There is a great need for spiritual nourishment everywhere. Darkness covers the earth and urgently cries out for the light of the gospel to shine forth through the church. There are people we see every day and those we may never meet. They have virtually come to us at the midnight hour, needing Christ. We have a responsibility from our Lord to tell them the Good News about Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).

Jesus, who is your Lord and friend, is the only person who can help them. Unlike the sleeping friend, He never sleeps, even when His disciples mistakingly believed Him doing so and not caring that they perish in the storm (Mark 4:38). He is available twenty-four seven. Your intercessory prayer for the salvation of a poor weary soul is His delight. It is an unselfish request that God will always welcome.

Though you may not see the result of your prayers then, and even in your lifetime, never think your persistence is a nuisance to God. He has heard your cry and is proud of you. He will respond according to His sovereign plan for that person’s life.

Your love for lost souls, coupled with your persistent plea, is all He wants from you. Your intercession shows how well you know Him as a trusted friend who loves to see the sinner come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

So, lift your voice at midnight on behalf of the lost souls of the world. Begin with those in your family and friends, and intercede for others in the world.

And remember, God’s smiles are beaming radiantly on you.