As we begin this Witnessing Techniques series, it’s important to talk about prayer.

Prayer is not a witnessing technique, but it is essential to successful witnessing efforts.

No one fully understands the workings of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will.

Likewise, no one fully understands the interplay between God’s sovereignty and our efforts.

I do know that when it comes to witnessing—including getting through to Jehovah’s Witnesses—we need to prepare as if everything depended on us and pray as if everything depended on God.

This principle is illustrated in the Old Testament.

God required the Israelites to train for war and to go into battle, but they were always to rely on God and not on their training or skill.

An early example is found in Exodus 17, where Israelite warriors fought a fierce battle against Amalek. Skilled fighters were essential, yet victory depended—not on Israel’s training and fighting skill—but rather on God’s response to Moses’ intercessory prayers.

Getting through to Jehovah’s Witnesses always involves spiritual warfare.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are the battleground, but they aren’t the enemy. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

So, it is important to learn and employ witnessing techniques such as the ones I am sharing with you in this series, but never rely on them.

Pray while you are learning various witnessing techniques for getting through to Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Pray about which techniques to concentrate on.

Pray for understanding and skill.

Pray regarding which techniques to employ in which situations.

Pray for wisdom to know which techniques are best suited to your temperament and personality and which wouldn’t work well for you at all.

Pray just before you are about to encounter Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Ask other Christians to pray with you and for you.

Pray silently when you are actually talking with Witnesses.

Pray silently throughout the encounter.

Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

Let him show you what techniques to use or to avoid in specific situations.

Pray as you plant seeds from the scriptures.

Pray with humility and depend fully on God.

Don’t get puffed up with pride when things go well.

Don’t get discouraged and quit when things go poorly.

Pray after each meeting with the Witnesses is over.

Ask God to reveal to you what you did well and what mistakes you made.

Don’t beat on yourself and give up.

Get better.

Pray regarding the seeds you have planted, that God will cause them to grow and bear fruit.

Pray for the success of further encounters.

If your dealings with those particular Witnesses have ended, continue to pray for them even if you never get feedback.

Pray that some other Christian will pick up where you left off.

Pray as you continue your preparation for meeting other Jehovah’s Witnesses.

If you are focusing on one particular approach, pray for wisdom as to how to present the gospel and respond to Watchtower arguments more effectively.

Pray regarding whether you should expand your horizons and learn another approach and, if so, which one to concentrate on next.

Always thank God for the opportunities he has given you to reach out to Jehovah’s Witnesses and continue to pray for more such opportunities.