Praying for unsaved Loved Ones

Have you noticed how at times, the more we talk about our new life as a Christian, the more closed off those we share it to become? Even Jesus experienced this. Let’s read in Mark 6: A Prophet Without Honor, verse 4 to 6 says: Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

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Key thought: Jesus was in a synagogue, an important religious place, with people who knew him well. His intentions were good, and he had great power to heal and to help. Yet in this place, he couldn’t do nearly as much as he wanted because the people refused to believe and didn’t expect him to be able to act.

2 Corinthians 4:4 says The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

It’s important to remember that when we pray for people, it must be with the right intentions and motive; that you truly care for their soul to be saved and not to just benefit you because we are dealing with their will. Our prayers cannot force them against their will to bend their knees to Jesus. God gave everybody a free will, they have the choice to make whether they will follow Christ or not.

Ask yourself, what lead you to faith in Jesus Christ? Was it because someone told you to? Maybe the Holy Spirit led you to recognize your sins, prompting a desire for transformation and encouraging you to seek a deeper relationship with God? Was it illness? There are so many reasons why one came to Christ, each of our journey will look different and so we need to remember to be patient and know it all is on their time and in God’s will.

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Why we Pray for other People?

1. Jesus modeled it. When he was crucified between the two thieves, and as he hung upon the cross, and while insulted and abused by all sorts of men, and put to the greatest pain and torture, he addressed himself to God his Father in Luke 23: 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

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2. Pure expression of Love. Love is patient, it is not self-seeking, it keeps no record of wrongs, always perseveres. Love never fails. Scripture on this can be found in 1 Corinthians 13: Love is indispensable

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3. Because we pray for others, God will do something in us. Romans 5:2-5 mentions how Perseverance will develop character. Character will develop a godly hope that can be developed in no other way. These characteristics are so important to God in His process of molding us and shaping us into the image of His Son.

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4. God can transform our attitude and maybe even our relationship. Matthew 5:44 and pray for those who persecute you. Are we praying for our enemies, former spouse, former coworker, the parent that disappointed you? When we begin to pray for other people who hurt us, our bitterness fades away and we find inner peace. Or if it’s a case where there has been division between the two, this can create an opportunity of restoration of the relationship.

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5. God is still in the salvation business. Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense, he has become my salvation.”

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How Should We pray for other people?

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1. Pray for you: Pray to God that he will strengthen your faith. Pray to God that you will live out an authentic Christian life in front of this other person. Pray for Perseverance. Pray for appropriate boldness in sharing the gospel with them. Pray God would make your life like salt, that makes people thirst for God. Pray for yourself

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2. Pray for them: Pray that God will open their eyes to their need for a Savior. Pray that God will open their heart to the truth of scripture, so the truth can set them free. Pray that God will soften their hard heart and make it receptive to his grace. Pray that they realize God is good. Pray that they be convicted of their sin and experience genuine repentance. Pray that their spiritual roots would go deep and clearly experience the love of God

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3. Pray for your relationship. Ask God to deepen your relationship, develop trust between you so that as the opportunity arrives as you take the step of faith and reach out to them spiritually, that there’d be strengthen that relationship. That it would make them even more receptive to hearing the truth about God.

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So when we pray, know it can make a difference. James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

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Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

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Request the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we offer our prayers and be clear and detailed in our requests for this individual.

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You may be the one who prays for them, but you might not be the one to lead them to the Lord; So, let's pray for the right moment when a perfect co-worker of God crosses their path to share a meaningful message with them. Even if you never see what you want to see, you are doing your part. When you pray, you are giving God an opportunity to work on that person, but they still have to be willing to say yes to God.

Never lose hope, no matter how long or challenging the situation appears.

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Prayer for Unsaved Loved Ones

Father God, my heart is burdened for members of my family who don’t know You. The busyness of life, disappointments and setbacks, or desires to pursue other interests have separated them from You. I bring them before You now, Lord: __________________ and __________________ (names). I pray You’ll reveal Your love to them and create in them a hunger for spiritual truth. I stand against the enemy, who has caused them to embrace a lie. They are blind to the reality that You came to set them free and to provide abundant life. Please send across their paths people who will speak into their lives with love, truth, power and conviction. Give me a clear prayer strategy, Lord, and show me creative ways to express my love and concern for them. I give You thanks in advance for the answers I expect to see in days ahead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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1 Corinthians 16:14 Do Everything in love.

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Lesson prepared by Redeemed by the Cross

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YouTube video on this study can be found by: 

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Candid Conversations: Reaching Unsaved Loved Ones - Joyce Meyer

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Praying for Unsaved Loved Ones - Lee Strobel - Focus on the Family

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Prayer: from the book, Warfare Prayers for Women - Securing God's Victory in Your Life by Quin Sherrer & Ruthanne Garlock

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