We all have friends and family members that urgently need salvation. What is our responsibility as believers and how should we pray?
Let’s see what scripture has to say:
Does God Desire Salvation for Our Loved Ones?
Yes He does! Scripture clearly states that God gave His Son Jesus for the sins of the whole world and He wants all men to be saved:
John 3:16-17 KJV – [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Eze 18:23 KJV – [23] Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Rom 10:13 KJV – [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
I know my loved ones have heard the Gospel message. Why don’t they believe?
The Bible says that the Gospel is hidden from unbelievers because of mindsets that they have that block the Gospel from truly being heard:
1Cr 1:18 KJV – For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Mat 13:15 KJV – For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV – But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2Cr 3:14-16 KJV – But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Dutch Sheets, a powerful teacher on prayer explains it like this, “ It is important to know that they don’t see the gospel because they can’t see it. They don’t understand it because they can’t understand it. They must have an unveiling.”… “In times past it always seemed difficult for me to understand how some people could hear and reject powerful gospel presentations.”… “What the unbelievers heard was filtered through a belief system that caused them to hear something totally different.” Sheets, Dutch. Intercessory Prayer. Regal Books, 1996, p. 161.
How Does Prayer Help? The Bible says in James 5 that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, making tremendous power available.” We have a responsibility to pray for our loved ones so that the barriers that keeps them from hearing the Gospel and seeing the kingdom come down.
We are urged to pray:
1Ti 2:1-6 KJV – I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Spiritual weapons including prayer, tears down erroneous arguments against God:
2Cr 10:4-6 KJV – (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
It is a sin not to pray for our loved ones:
1Sa 12:23 KJV – Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
Links for How to Pray
How I Learned to Pray for the Lost
Scriptures for Prayer for the Lost
Be encouraged! God will hear and honor our faithful intercession:
Job 22:28-30 NKJV – You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways. When they cast [you] down, and you say, ‘Exaltation [will come]!’ Then He will save the humble [person]. He will [even] deliver one who is not innocent; Yes, he will be delivered by the purity of your hands.”
Let’s Do It!
Blessed are those that do God’s word, “Faith without Works is Dead!” If you feel led, feel free to post your prayer requests, and words of encouragement for each other here.
Beauty for Ashes 
I ADORE Dutch Sheets!! Greatest teaching on prayer I have ever read!!