Manifesto Value: The Lost
When the KC Underground launched in 2019, part of our formation was to adopt the Underground Manifesto created by the Tampa Underground. The Manifesto is comprised of eighteen values that reflect our theological convictions. These values bind us together as a diverse and creative network. This prayer guide will cover one of those values.
Read: Spend some time slowly reading and rereading this value:
The Lost
We value lost people because they are spiritually poor. We believe the Good News of the Kingdom is the most important commodity with which the church and the people of God have been entrusted. For this reason, we will engage the lost. We believe that the church should not expect lost people to come and find them, but that we are called and sent to “seek and save that which was lost.” Again, we will emphasize the life and ministry of Jesus by prioritizing those who have not yet heard and believed the Good News. This is our first and most important task, even in our ministry to the poor and the lost (who could be considered the spiritually poor). They are our first concern.
Retell: As a practice to embrace what you are reading, grab a journal and write the value out in
your own words.
Read: Choose at least 3 - 5 of the following supporting passages and read through them.
Biblical Foundation
Genesis 22:17-18, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 10:7, Matthew 18:14, Matthew 28:19, Mark 13:10, Luke 15:4, 6, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:46-47, Acts 1:8, Acts 10:42, Romans 10:14-15 and 15:20, Galatians 2:10
Consider: As you read and rewrote this value, what stood out to you the most? What did the Spirit highlight as you read the supporting passages from Scripture? What do you sense the Spirit is saying to you? Take a few minutes to journal your thoughts.
Pray: Now that you have had a few minutes to consider what the Spirit might be saying to you, turn these thoughts into prayers.
Perhaps it is a prayer of repentance: Jesus, I repent for the times I have neglected the urgency of reaching the lost. Forgive me for my complacency, for prioritizing my own comfort over Your call to seek and save those who are far from You. Jesus, I confess that I have sometimes waited for the lost to come to me instead of actively going to them with Your love and truth. Renew my heart with the same compassion You have for the spiritually poor and ignite in me a passion to share the Good News of Your Kingdom.
Perhaps it is a prayer of invitation: Holy Spirit, I invite You to guide me in reaching the lost. Open my eyes to see those around me who are spiritually searching, and give me the boldness and wisdom to share Your Gospel with them. Fill me with Your love and compassion, that my words and actions would point others to You. Holy Spirit, send me where You are working. Teach me to follow the example of Jesus, prioritizing those who have not yet heard or believed in Your Good News. Use me as a vessel for Your grace and truth.
Perhaps it is a prayer for boldness and discernment: Father, I pray for boldness to step out in faith and share the gospel with those who are lost. Give me discernment to recognize opportunities to speak of Your love and the courage to act on them. Father, let my words be filled with truth and grace, and may my life reflect the hope and transformation found in You. Help me to prioritize the spiritually poor, bringing them the Good News of Your kingdom with urgency and compassion.
Each of these simple prayers can be a springboard into more. Use the thoughts you journaled above to help guide your prayers. Take some extra time today to pray for our larger network of disciple-makers and microchurches, that we would carry Jesus’s heart for the lost, seeking them with compassion, sharing the Good News of the Kingdom, and making his saving grace known to those who need it most.
Respond: If Jesus highlighted a particular way for you to respond in obedience to Him today in light of this value from the Manifesto, consider sharing this response with another disciple-maker.