How to pray for the lost

We all have friends and family members who don’t know Christ.  We pray for them, but sometime we really don’t know how to effectively pray.  Maybe they even know who He is, but have not truly accepted Him as their Savior or have not totally surrendered to Him.  Here are some things you can pray and Scriptures to help you.

Pray that God would connect them to genuine believers and that He would show them how simple the gospel is.  “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time.” – 1 Tim. 2:5-6

Pray that they would be disconnected from influences that pull them away from Christ. “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’.” – 1 Cor. 15:33

Pray for the lies they have been led to believe will be exposed. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – 2 Cor. 4:4

Pray for God to bind Satan and turn them from darkness to light so they will be forgiven of their sins.  “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” – Acts 26:18

Pray they are delivered from evil and Satan’s schemes and any stronghold.  “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Cor. 10:4-5.

Pray that they would know all the blessings God has for believers.  “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” – Eph 1:17-19

Pray the Holy Spirit will convict them of their sins and make them aware of their need for a Savior and that they avoid God’s coming judgment.  “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me.” – John 16:8-9

Pray their hearts will be changed, that they will believe and be save, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” – Ez. 36:26.  “for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, what whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16.  “... be filled with Spirit.” – Eph. 5:18b

Pray they be baptized and teach others about Jesus. “Therefore go and make disciples to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matt. 28:18-20.

Pray that they grow in Christ and help them to obey God’s Word.  “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32

Pray they will be found faithful when they stand before God.  “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’” – Matt. 5:21

Now pray consistently and often.  “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – Luke 2:1 God may not answer our prayers in the timing we want, because our timing is not His timing.  But don’t give up.  Prayer not only can change the lives of others, but it can change yours.

God wants us to pray for the lost.  He doesn’t want anyone to perish.  We should also pray for our government and all those in authority.  “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Tim. 2:1-4

Who in your life is God prompting you to pray for?

We may not know what to do to bring our loved ones to Christ, but we can pray then leave it to God.  Prayer is a BIG weapon for the salvation of souls.  The Bible says a lot about prayer and there are many books on prayer.  One that is very good for praying on a variety of subjects is “Prayers That Avail Much” by Germaine Copeland.  In the book there are actually prayers based on Scriptures with Scripture references.  I highly recommend it.

Now don’t give up.  Keep praying!!  “Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thess. 5:17

Thanks for visiting my site.  Have a blessed day.  Hope to see you here next time.

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