6. How to Invest in Your Person of Peace

When you recognize someone as a Person of Peace, the next question is simple: Now what?

Jesus gives a clear instruction: “Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you” (Luke 10:7 NIV). In other words, once you find someone who’s open, invest in that relationship!

Too many Christians do "hit and run" evangelism, which is the opposite of how Jesus trains us to operate. Instead of spreading your efforts all over the place, invest deeply in the relationships where God has given you favor and spiritual openness. Focus your time and energy on the few people who respond positively.

To live like this doesn’t require special training. It just needs time, intentionality, and love. When Paul was shipwrecked on Malta, he invested in the family of Publius, the governor of the island, who was generously hosting them. “His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him” (Acts 28:8, NIV).

That’s what investing in a Person of Peace looks like. You spend time with them, serve them, have honest conversations, and share what Jesus has done for you. You pray with them in moments of pain and of joy. "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too" (1 Thessalonians 2:8, NIV).

This strategy will lead you to become naturally supernatural. They’re sick, you pray for healing, and they experience God’s healing power right there and then. They’re struggling in a relationship, you pray together, and the very next day they see a breakthrough. They’re stressed by finances, you two pray, and they experience both a supernatural peace and financial provision.

Of course, the answers to prayer we look for don’t come like this every time, but God is good, and He loves to show up in amazing and unexpected ways.

As you identify your Person of Peace, keep asking these four key questions:

1. "Can I pray for you?"
2. "Can I serve you?"
3. "Can I share my story with you?"
4. "Can I share God's story with you?"

These questions will guide your next steps in the relationship. We find that asking "Can I pray for you?" becomes a game changer that opens up the way for the story questions.

Is there someone God is highlighting in your life right now? Maybe it’s time to move from casual friendship to intentional discipleship towards faith in Jesus. Ask Jesus what the next step in the relationship is.

Do you see if they’d like to do a Discovery Bible Study with you? Do you invite them to an Alpha Course? Do you share your worship playlist with them, or just ask, “Want to grab coffee again next week?” and then talk about deeper things when you meet?

The Kingdom grows through intentional investment. Once you’ve found a person of peace, keep asking God what the next step is to point them towards Him. Don’t rush onto the next person or thing. Stay, love, invest.

Your Next Steps

1. Who do you sense God prompting you to invest more deeply in right now?
2. What’s one way you can intentionally pray for, serve, and share your (or God’s) story with them this week? What specific thing can you do to point them towards Jesus and invite them into Christian community?
3. Are you spread too thin relationally? Ask God where to say ‘yes’ and where to pause.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for graciously, lovingly, and patiently investing in me. Help me do the same with others. Help me to pray for them, serve them, and share both my story and Your story at the right times. Show me how to walk closely with my People of Peace and to point them towards You. In particular, give me your Holy Spirit nudge when I can offer to pray with them. Amen.