Christian

Promises That Will Encourage You To Keep Praying for Someone You Love

Cindy Dawson

Is your heart heavy because someone you love rejects Jesus as Savior? Perhaps he(she) calls himself an atheist. Or maybe, he just refuses to search for Truth and instead stands stubbornly in the darkness, clinging to “intellectual” arguments that support his atheistic beliefs.

If you’ve been praying for someone for a long time, don’t give up now. Be encouraged and strengthened by the promises of God.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV) says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” 

For a long time, I have been praying faithfully everyday that Jay would accept Jesus as Savior. Becoming weary, my prayers have been reduced to “God please help Jay. I don’t know how to pray for him. I don’t even know where he is. You know, Lord.” That is the prayer of someone who is weary in prayer.

After searching God’s Word for encouragement, I was not disappointed. This is what I learned. It is not meant to be a “formula” for prayer, but rather, an encouragement that you are praying according to God’s will and being led by the Holy Spirit. So don’t give up!

Following Paul’s example, simply pray that he will be saved. “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” Romans 10:1 NIV

Pray that the Lord will send Christian workers into his life. God uses people to accomplish his will.“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 NIV

Pray that God will give him spiritual understanding and that the Lord will lead him to repentance. ” … in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:25-26 NIV

Pray that God will open his heart.  “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” Acts 16:14 NIV

Pray that God will give him spiritual sight and make His light shine in his heart, as He did yours.

“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” 2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

Continue to pray with perseverance. God has called you to pray for this person. As you pray, remember to thank God for His love, mercy, kindness, and faithfulness. 

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” Colossians 4:2 NIV

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1 NIV

Pray with the knowledge that his salvation is God’s will.  

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9 NIV

(Where did we get the idea that God should be on our time table?) 

Therefor pray, “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10 NIV

Pray with confidence, remembering that our God is a God of mercy, love and faithfulness.

“The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” James 5:16 AMP

 Your prayer for someone’s salvation is most definitely a spiritual battle. Do not listen to the devil’s lies. Of course Satan will try to discourage you and make you give up. Instead, obey God’s Word and keep praying.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV

From this study, here is what I have learned: God hears my prayers. It’s not that He isn’t answering them or that He doesn’t hear me. (The devil will try to tell us that!)

My “assignment” to pray for Jay has not ended. The battle is not over. In fact, I am in the heat of the battle. I will keep praying.

When I am praying God’s will, I know He is working even though I haven’t seen the final result yet.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV

God’s Word encourages me and strengthens my faith! It will do the same for you.

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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17 thoughts on “Promises That Will Encourage You To Keep Praying for Someone You Love”

  2. I see you used the Atheist tag so I figured you wanted an atheist perspective:

    “Is your heart heavy because someone you love rejects Jesus as Savior? Perhaps he calls himself an atheist. ”
    ….or Jewish, Or Islamic, or Hindu, or Buddhist. There are many religions and worldviews that do not believe in the divinity of Jesus. It doesn’t mean they are any less of a person. It doesn’t mean they are troubled. They are following their own path.

    “Or maybe, he just refuses to search for Truth and instead stands stubbornly in the darkness,”
    Just because someone doesn’t believe in your religion, does not mean they are stubborn or in darkness, or that they haven’t searched out the truth.

    I’m not sure who “Jay” is but I wonder how he feels that you assume he hasn’t searched for truth, that he stands in darkness, that somehow you reject the very path he is comfortable with.

    “because unlike believing in Buda, or any other false god or false religion,” Buddha is not a god but Buddhism, while it is considered a religion, is actually more of a philosophy. But I think it’s quite ironic what you say here, you are claiming all other religions are false because your religion is true. (Not that there are certain truths in every religion). How about Judaism?

    I do hope you are careful. Sometimes when you force a religion on someone that they do not wish to be part of… they walk away.

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    1. I sincerely appreciate your willingness to share your perspective. I will take to heart what you have said.

      However, the mission of my blog is to encourage Christians. Many of them are praying for someone dear to them to follow Christ. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word, therefore we look to it for answers. What I have written is based on the Bible, not my own opinions.

      We do not believe that people of other religions are “less of a person”. In fact, Jesus loves them and died for them. He teaches us to love everyone, even our enemies. Our mission is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The rest is up to God.

      It is the Christian who is troubled because their loved one is an unbeliever. I didn’t mean that the atheist is troubled.

      God’s Word says, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (NASB) Jeremiah 29:13 I believe if someone sincerely seeks truth, they will find it. Sometimes, people seek to reinforce what they want to believe.

      The Jews are God’s chosen people. Jesus is their Messiah. There are truths in many religions, yes. But Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

      The path one is comfortable with may be the wrong path. It depends on what path was chosen. The Bible says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105

      Lastly, I do not wish to force Christianity on anyone. I wish to share how Jesus Christ has loved me, forgiven me, and changed my life.

      Thank you, again. I welcome your thoughts.

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      1. Hi, your response is wonderful. Its true – we, the Christians carry the burden of the lost souls in our hearts. They are very comfortable being lost.
        I live in a Buddhist country and I pray for so many of my friends and family. Its very upsetting that they have no hope of salvation. Always expecting another lifetime. It seems so torturous.

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        1. Varuni, Thank you for your encouraging words. It must be difficult to find ways to minister to those who have a strong belief in something false. Our prayers for them are in obedience to God. He is working. God bless you.

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  3. Well said Cindy we must not loose our faith instead we must continue praying and remember God timing is not our timing. He has perfect timing! Please continue to encourage Christian because we are to be his witnesses and pray as Jesus did never giving up and believe that God is listening. As I tell my kids if you have a problem just look up and pray!! God is still in business of performing miracles!

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  4. Pingback: The Immensity of God’s Plans | Christianity 201

  6. Filled with so much truth and encouragement . I am in the heat of the battle while praying for my unsaved family. Thanks for the reminders from God’s Word! I know God hears our prayers and will answer in His time.

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