PRAYING FOR UNBELIEVERS

I've had it in my heart to share this for several weeks but thinking through yesterday's post made me realize that if there is one thing we all need to be bullheaded about, it's praying for those who don't know Christ. Most of us have a "beloved unbeliever" somewhere among our family, friends, or coworkers. How persistent are we in praying for them?

Most of us need to repent in sackcloth and ashes for our prayerlessness! And. Please. Understand. I can't point a finger at any one of you, because it would mean that three fingers would be pointed back at ME! It's time for us to get serious about crying out to God on behalf of those who do not know Christ! Oh, sweet sisters, ETERNITY is at stake!

The following is a list of 12 things I have written in my prayer notebook to aid in effectively praying for unbelievers. The list is not "original" with me. It is a collection of thoughts, "points," and scriptures I assembled over the years from a number of different sources. It is by NO MEANS a magic formula that guarantees someone's salvation. Every person's salvation is by grace alone - through faith alone - in Christ alone - but I believe with all my heart that our intercession on behalf of an unbeliever is essential to paving the way.

1. Affirm that God can do the impossible. Don't ever look at an unbeliever and think that they are so far gone in their sinful life that God cannot reach them. Jeremiah 32:17 Ah, Lord God! It is you who has made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

2. Recognize that Satan has captivated the unbeliever. Pray for their release from the world, the flesh and the devil. Persist in prayer not because of God's reluctance to save, but because of the resistance of the enemy. 2 Corinthians 4:4 . . . the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers - to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel. 2 Timothy 2:25-26 . . . grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

3. Thank God that He desires ALL to be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish. (also read 1 Timothy 2:4, John 3:16)

4. Thank God for the authority of the name of Jesus by which salvation has been purchased. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (also see Acts 4:12)

5. Thank God for His power of salvation. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

6. Thank God for His gift of salvation. Romans 5:8 But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

7. Thank God that He seeks unbelievers and draws them to Himself. Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.

8. Claim the person by name for the victory of salvation by the blood of Jesus. 1 John 3:8 The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

9. Pray that the unbeliever will seek to know God as the Holy Spirit works in them. Deuteronomy 4:29 You will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

10. Pray that the unbeliever will confess Christ as Savior and Lord and turn from sin. Romans 10:9-10 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

11. Pray that the unbeliever will yield all to follow Jesus and grow in Him. Colossians 2:6-7 As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

12. Praise God that His Word does not return to Him without accomplishing its purposes. Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is living and active ... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Here's what Evangelist Ron Dunn wrote in his marvelous book on intercessory prayer, Don't Just Stand There, Pray Something :
"The battle for lost souls is won by prayer and intercession. Prayer is the warfare. Evangelism is not the attempt to win the battle - it is the mopping up operation. The physical possessions of the church, the buildings, organizations, and programs are the trucks we drive onto the field of battle to load up the spoils of the victory won by intercession."