There
are some among us who believe that God does not want everybody to be
saved; that some are destined to be saved and others aren't. The fact
that more people are not saved is not a reflection of God's will but of
the carnal state of the human heart. Because here is what scripture
says:
1 Timothy 2:1,3-6a (NKJV)
"1 Therefore I exhort[encourage] first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,... 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all,..."
In other words, we are
instructed in God's word to pray for all to be saved, because He desires all people to be saved... because Messiah Yeshua has already died to
pay the debt of sin for all.
Praying for Salvation of Family, Praying for Salvation of Loved Ones, Praying for Salvation of Souls
It
doesn't matter who we are praying for--whether it's specific or in
general--God is pleased with all our prayers for salvation and He begins
to move on our prayers. I believe that we will see in Heaven a lot of people we did
not expect to see there. I believe that it's because these are people we
have been praying for, faithfully, and God saw the changes that began to happen in
their hearts--even though these changes may not have been visible to
the human eye. The text suggests that they may be granted entrance into eternal life "at the
eleventh hour"! (Matthew 20:1-7) They failed to do anything for the
Kingdom of Heaven!! Their judgment will happen first (it's simpler, they
don't have much in the area of faithfulness to evaluate,) and the
judgment of the laborers will happen last (because there is simply much
more lifetime and works to evaluate for rewards.) I believe this might
be one reason why Jesus says that "the last will be first and the first will be last" (~Matthew 19:30.)
Our job is to pray trusting in
God's word, and to pray "without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17,)
because "the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
(~James 5:16b.) I've seen friends and family come to Christ even after 15
years, or even 20 years later!! We are to keep asking. Jesus taught us this: “7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For
everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (~Matthew 7:7.)
I've always trusted God's timing. I firmly believe that God will not let anyone we love die without salvation if we and others are fervently and steadfastly praying for them. He wants to answer our prayers because He desires all to be saved!!
And, our faith
moves mountains--even the mountain of an unbelieving heart: "nothing
will be impossible to you." (~Matthew 17:20.) We have to remember that the favor and power of
Heaven will be moved by our Spirit-led, consistent prayers of faith.
So be encouraged,
my brother, my sister. Let us Never ever give up praying for our loved
ones!! We are contending for their souls against the powers of darkness. We are praying God's desire into their lives! And He wants to do
it!!
Prayer for Salvation for Family and Prayer for Salvation of Souls
Dear
God, our Father in Heaven, I thank you for all my family and friends,
neighbors, colleagues, and acquaintances, wherever they are today! I
thank you for your love, provision, protection and grace in the lives of
all who know and love you. And for those who do not yet know you: Thank
you for showing them patience in this time of grace. I ask that you
help me to always be a blessing to everyone I know.
Heavenly Father, here's my special request for those who do not yet know or understand you. I ask that you forgive their sin and that you help them to take hold of salvation in Christ. Lead them on the path to repentance and transformation. Hear and answer my concerns and cries for their well-being. Reveal Yourself to them in a way they can understand and cannot deny. Surround them with your presence by surrounding them with people who know, love and serve you--people who can reveal to them Your love and goodness to them.
Reveal to us, your servants, how we can best
help, support and encourage them in times of hardship. Please protect
them from all harm. When we pray please let our prayers manifest in
their lives: Heal them from every kind of sickness, save them from
disaster, give them spiritual insight from Heaven, and fill them with
your Holy Spirit of forgiveness, humility, truth, joy, wisdom, and
kindness. Bring them to the place of complete deliverance.
May we all
who love you always remember that no matter the difficulties we may
face in this life, You have a plan, you have not forgotten us, and we
are never hopeless or alone. Thank you that you are always with us,
lovingly watching over us and causing even the most difficult and
adverse circumstances to work out for our good, so that we may live more
abundant lives (overflowingly fulfilling lives.) I ask all this in the
name of my Lord Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer,
And I say, not just for myself but also on behalf of my family and friends that I am praying for:
Our Father in Heaven, we receive your truth, goodness, love, guidance, promises, grace and faithfulness in our lives today, in the name of our precious Lord Jesus. Amen.Thank you, Heavenly Father. Amen and AMEN!
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