Let me tell you what almost certainly won’t happen when you invite that person to church.
- They probably won’t scream at you.
- They probably won’t hate you forever.
- They probably won’t decide to write God off forever.
- They probably won’t shame you on social media.
- They probably won’t need you to walk them through dense theology before they say “yes.”
Inviting people to church can feel scary. I know that whenever I think about doing a scary thing, I tend to imagine worst-case scenarios.
Then, I either psych myself out of doing anything, or I overthink and overprepare for every possibility. If you’ve ever done that too, you’re in good company. A lot of people respond that way.
Below are some example prayers to help you feel confident before you invite someone to church. And in case you’re really freaking out, here are a few reminders to help you invite others in a helpful, healthy way.
3 Things to Remember Before You Invite Someone to Church
1. It’s Okay if You Don’t Say the Right Things
It’s easy to assume everything depends on you, or to think that if you invite someone by using the right words, at the right time, with the right tone, then it will go well and the person will decide to come. But that’s not really how inviting people to church works.
I’ve found that my most confident, well-crafted, rehearsed-in-front-of-the-mirror invitation might get a simple “no” in response. Meanwhile, my casual “you should check out my church this weekend” has gotten a “yes.”
Being intentional can be helpful, and being responsive to opportunities matters too. But there’s no magic combination of prayers, words, and actions that guarantees a “yes.”
Don’t stress yourself out about saying the wrong thing.
So please do be prayerful, and also please don’t stress yourself out about saying the wrong thing. We are called to help people get to know Jesus. Inviting them to church can certainly help, but the weight of their faith isn’t on you.
You can’t make them accept your invite, but you can trust the One who’s in charge of what happens next.
Try this: Don’t overthink your ask! Just say something like, “Would you like to come to church with me this weekend?”
2. It’s Okay if They Say No
If you ask someone to church and they say “no,” be respectful. Their answer doesn’t mean you should never ask again; instead, it’s an invitation for you to get curious.
Maybe they’ve had a bad experience with a church. Maybe they haven’t been to church in years, and it feels intimidating to go back. I’ve also met several people who have no church background and don’t view church positively or negatively; it just doesn’t feel relevant to their lives.
Hearing “no” doesn’t have to be the end of the conversation. Respecting that answer and asking thoughtful questions can be a great way to build trust and keep the conversation going. It just might lead to helping introduce them to Jesus before they ever set foot in a church building.
So keep inviting, but do it without being pushy, annoying, or refusing to accept people’s boundaries. It takes courage to ask, wisdom not to take “no” personally, and patience to build trust and open the door to deeper conversations.
Try This: When someone says “no” to your invitation, don’t treat it like a dead end or a missed opportunity. Stay interested in their life. Let the relationship keep moving forward without pressure.
3. It’s Okay That This Feels Uncomfortable
A lot of us are waiting for the “perfect moment” to invite someone to church. We’ll do it when it feels natural, and we know the right words to say.
But most of the time, things don’t happen like that. Inviting someone can feel a little awkward. You might second-guess how it comes out or wonder if you said too much (or not enough). That doesn’t mean you did it wrong; it just means you’re doing something that actually matters to you.
Discomfort isn’t a sign to stop. It’s usually a sign that you’re stepping into something that requires a bit of courage.
Inviting someone to church feels easy to put off, but if you’re willing to move forward while it feels a little uncomfortable, you’ll find that people are often more open than you expect.
Try This: Don’t wait until it feels effortless. Say something simple the next time it comes up, even if it feels a little awkward.
5 Prayers for Inviting People to Church
Before you invite someone, it helps to start by talking to God first. That conversation isn’t to script what you’ll say, but to let Him reshape how you see the person in front of you.
A Prayer for Courage as You Trust God With the Invitation
God, I give You whatever happens next before I even say anything. If they say “yes,” I’m grateful. If they say “no,” help me keep showing up with the same care and consistency. Take the pressure off me to get this right. Help me focus on being faithful and trusting You to handle the rest. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer for Your Heart and Motivations Before You Invite
Heavenly Father, You know this person and what’s going on in their life right now. Help me see them the way You do and care about them beyond just extending an invite. If there’s an opportunity, help me recognize it and keep what I say simple and honest. Prepare their heart in whatever way they need, and help me trust You with how they respond.
A Prayer for the Person You Want to Invite
Dear Lord, You know this person better than I do, and You’re already at work in ways I can’t see. Prepare their heart in whatever way they need, whether that means granting them curiosity, openness, or even just a willingness to consider coming to church with me. Remind me that I’m not responsible for changing them, and help me trust You with what’s happening in their lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer to Invite With Love and Without Overthinking
Jesus, help me see this person the way You do, and not treat an invitation to church as something to accomplish. Slow me down enough to notice what’s going on in their life and to care about them beyond whether they ever come to church with me. Teach me to listen well, to be present, and to show up with genuine love so that anything I say comes from You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Prayer For the Person Who’s Been Invited a Bunch of Times and Keeps Saying “No”
God, You know this person better than I do, including every reason behind their “no.” Help me not to take it personally or try to force anything. Keep me patient, respectful, and consistent in how I show up. Give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to hold back. Please work in their life in ways I can’t, in Your timing. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Who Will You Invite Today?
If there’s someone you’ve been waiting to reach out to, take a step to invite them to church this week! If they say “yes,” be ready to help them have a great experience. Offer to sit with them, answer their questions, and help them take their next step.
For more on how to invite people to church, check out this simple guide: