6 Prayers to Soften Our Hearts Toward Those Who Only Attend Church at Easter

　　I could tell by the long pause in the conversation, the subtle shift of her eyes, that she was thinking about how to respond to my invitation to join us at church on Sunday.

　　“Well, the truth is, we’ve gotten out of the habit of going to church. We are more like Christmas and Easter people,” she softly responded.

　　“That’s okay; with Easter coming up in a few weeks, it’s a good time to get back into things! We would love you to join our family and maybe grab lunch afterward. Just let me know!” I tried to sound cheerful and optimistic, willing the Holy Spirit to work through me as I extended the invitation to a colleague.

　　Lest you think I am sharing this recent event in a “holier than thou moment,” let me tell you more details. I’d known this woman for a few years, yet it was the first time I’d made the effort to invite her to church. Shamefully, I’d marked her off my list, knowing that she grew up in church, telling myself, “If she wanted to come, she would; there’s nothing I could do about it.”

　　And, well, the truth is, as humans, we don’t have the power to change people’s hearts, to stir them to action, or to accept the call of the gospel. But, we can co-labor with God, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us as we invite, encourage, and share with people. If you have found yourself wrongfully assuming or projecting past experiences about those who only attend service on Easter, might I encourage you to pray these prayers?