Article
Praying for the lost
7 min read
It pleases God
Prayer for those who do not yet know Jesus is not a side hobby of the church. It sits near the center of God's desire. He wants people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”
Pray by name
Vague concern is not the same as intercession. Bring a name. Bring a face. Ask specifically: for a soft heart, for a clear hearing of the gospel, for a believer to cross their path, for the lies that bind them to lose their power.
Pray for open doors
Paul asked the church to pray that God would open a door for the word. You can pray the same for your friend: that Scripture, a conversation, a crisis, or a kindness would become a doorway, not a wall.
“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.”
Stay in love
It is possible to pray for someone's conversion and still treat them poorly. Do not. Let prayer change you first — your patience, your listening, your hope. The person you are praying for should be safer with you, not more pressured.