Witnessing and praying for the lost is a passion and responsibility for practicing Christians. However, it is definitely no easy feat! We shouldn't become surprised or discouraged when witnessing to unbelievers who think Christianity is foolishness, or that it is "a crutch" for the weak. 1 Cor. 1:18 tells us, "The message of the cross IS foolish/nonsense to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God." To some, believing in Christ is no more foolish than believing in flying unicorns (and I've heard this one before). But why is it foolishness to them? How come it doesn't make sense? God reveals in His word that it is "Because the god of this world (Satan) has "blinded the minds" of those who don't believe, and as a result, they don't "see the light of the Good News about Christ's glory" (2 Cor. 4:4).
What can we do? Present them with tons of scripture? According to 1 Cor. 2:14, they can't understand it: "The person without the Spirit (Holy Spirit) does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." Isaiah 44:18 reiterates this, "They don't know or 'understand' anything. Their eyes are 'plastered shut', so they can't see. And their minds are closed, so they can't understand."
Also, John 6:44 says that the unbeliever can't even come to Christ unless God himself draws them near. "People cannot come to me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent me brings them to me." So what can we do for our loved ones and the rest of the world that does not know Christ? Those who are saved have a divine responsibility to pray for the lost. We have direct access to God the Father, through Christ. "For through him (Jesus), we both have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Eph. 2:18).
I have found an excellent site that helps me to pray scripturally for those I love. Let's make even more of an effort to pray for those who don't believe! One praying person slays a thousand, and two - tens of thousands! Keep in mind, it doesn't hurt to present people with salvation verses (Romans 10:17), but you should be praying that God will open their mind, heart, and eyes to understand. Don't get discouraged if it's not happening as quickly as you'd like. God is working behind the scenes constantly and will do the work necessary in His own time to fulfil His own purposes.
Be encouraged by the following prayer...
Scripture Prayers For The Lost
The following are Scripture prayers that you can use to pray for lost people. These prayers are based on the Word of God. You can plead them with confidence and expectancy. In order to use them, place the name of the lost person or persons in the blank, pleading with God to save them.
Father, in the name of Jesus, I plead that You will draw _______________ to Jesus Christ in true faith and repentance (John 6:44). In the name of Jesus, I ask You, Father, to quicken ___________________ who is dead in sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). Father, I ask You to bind and remove Satan’s work in _________________’s life and to open _______________’s eyes to the truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). Holy Spirit, I pray that You would convince _____________ that he/she is lost, separated from God, and headed to hell (Romans 3:23). Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus, I pray that You would destroy any false ideas that _________________ has about Jesus Christ and salvation through Him (Proverbs 14:12). Lord Jesus, I plead that You will seek out __________________ and save him/her from his/her sins and eternal condemnation (Luke 19:10). Father, I pray that You will open ________________’s heart so that he/she will receive and believe the gospel (Acts 16:14). Holy Spirit, I ask You through Your power and _____________’s circumstances to prepare him/her to hear and receive the Word of God (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). Holy Spirit, I plead that ______________ will understand the gospel when it is presented to him/her so that the devil cannot snatch it away (Matthew 13: 5, 9). Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus, I plead that the Word of God will take root in ____________’s life and bring about true salvation in ____________’s life (Matthew 13:6, 20-21). Father, I ask that the pleasures of this world and the pressures of life will not choke the Word of God that has been sown into _______________’s life (Matthew 13:7, 22). Father, I plead that You will deliver ________________ from the kingdom of darkness and place ________________ into the kingdom of Your dear Son (Colossians 1:13). Father, I pray that _______________ will receive the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord (Romans 6:23). Lord Jesus, I ask that _________________ will not trust in himself/herself, but that ________________ will completely trust in You as his/her Savior and Lord (Galatians 2:16). Holy God, I pray that You would grant genuine repentance to _________________, a repentance that will cause him/her to hate sin and to turn from it (Acts 11:8; Luke 13:1-3). Lord God, I plead that You would grant ________________ genuine faith, a faith that trusts in Jesus alone and surrenders to Him as Lord and Savior (Ephesians 2:8-10). Holy Spirit, I pray that You would stir _______________ out of his/her indifference and complacency concerning his/her condition and his/her need of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 6:2). I ask in the name of Jesus Christ that ________________ would surrender himself/herself to the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 14:9). Father, I pray that You will send people continually into ________________’s life who will share the gospel with him/her (Romans 10:14).Father, I plead in the name of Jesus that You will put a new heart in ________________ and that You will place Your Holy Spirit in him/her (Jeremiah 42:30; Ezekiel 11:19-20). Holy Spirit, I pray that You will cause _________________ to hate sin and that You will break the power of those sins that are hindering him/her from coming to Christ (Mark 9:43-47). Lord Jesus, I ask that _______________ would surrender to You, denying himself/herself, take up the Cross, and follow You (Luke 9:23). Father, I plead that _____________ will understand that his/her only hope for forgiveness and acceptance with You is through Jesus’ work on the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:18). Father, I pray that _______________ would not neglect the glorious salvation, which is available through Your Son (Hebrews 2:1-3). Lord Jesus, I pray that ________________ will feel and know the burden of his/her sin and will come to You for forgiveness and salvation (Matthew 11:28-30). Father, I plead that _________________ will make a genuine commitment to Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of his/ her life (Luke 14:24-33). Lord Jesus, I plead that ____________________ will not be content with the appearance of righteousness but will seek You for the transformation of his/her whole life (Matthew 23:27-29). Father, I pray that ___________________ will see that his/her good works are as filthy rags in Your sight and that they will not save him/her (Isaiah 64:6). Father, I ask that _______________ would believe and trust Your Son that You sent to be the Savior of sinners (John 5:24). Lord Jesus, I ask that _______________ would not die in his/her sins but would trust You and receive eternal life (John 8:24). Because You came into the world to save sinners, I plead with You to save _____________ who is a sinner and in need of Your grace and mercy (1 Timothy 1:13-16). Holy Spirit, I pray that You would humble ______________ so that he/she sees his/her need of Jesus Christ (Psalm 18:27; Proverbs 8:13, 29:23).
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