How to Develop a Heart for the Lost
Every Christian is called to care about the lost, but the truth is, compassion does not always come naturally. A deeper heart of compassion is something God develops in us when we turn to Him. There are three main ways we can grow this heart: through prayer, through an eternal vision, and through remembering God’s kindness and mercy.
The first and most important is prayer. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, once said that if there was any power in his ministry, it was because God had all of his heart, all of his will, and all of his life. Booth’s compassion for the poor was not accidental. It was birthed in prayer and in a vision of what God could do through him. Prayer is where we catch God’s heart. It is where the mission becomes personal.
Ephesians 6 reminds us that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of darkness. This means prayer is not optional. It is the way we stand, the way we put on the armor of God, and the way we take ownership of the mission. When we pray for our families, our friends, our coworkers, and our neighborhoods, we stop seeing evangelism as just an idea. It becomes personal. It becomes our calling.
The second way to develop a heart for the lost is through vision. We need to see the reality of eternity. Jesus said the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. When Isaiah encountered God, he didn’t ask where or how long. He simply responded, “Here am I, send me.” That is the heart we need, a vision of souls, a vision of heaven and hell, a vision of what really matters. Without vision, people perish, and without vision, we lose our urgency.
The third way is by remembering God’s kindness. Romans 2:4 says the kindness of God leads us to repentance. When we reflect on how patient God has been with us, how merciful He has been in our lives, we find the strength to show that same kindness to others. Compassion is not only about what we say, but also about what we do. Kindness opens doors for the Gospel to be heard.
Prayer, vision, and kindness, these three will shape our hearts into the heart of Christ. The book from which this teaching comes explains these truths in a much deeper way, calling us to move from comfort into action. It challenges us to make the mission of God personal.
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