7 Scriptural Prayers for the Lost

Do you ever find yourself asking God to “just save all the lost people”? If you have ever wanted to have some specific, biblical ways to pray for those who are still lost in darkness, here are seven simple ways to posture yourself before the Father and ask for Him to move:

• Praying for Open Eyes

“I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18).

Jesus commissioned and sent the Apostle Paul out on mission, just as Jesus has also commanded us to do!

Pray: Father, show me how to pray in such a way that people’s eyes are opened so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the grip of Satan to the freedom of God. Your word commands us to go into the world so that the lost may receive the forgiveness of their sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in You! Use me to reach my family, my neighbors, my city and beyond so that You alone will receive the glory! And when eyes are opened may they see and experience new life forever.

Listen: Take some time to wait expectantly before the Father. What is God revealing to your heart? Is there a response, a change, an act of repentance or forgiveness that needs to be paid attention to? Is God showing you a next step towards being the answer to the prayer you just prayed?

• Salvation for the Lost Should Be Our Heart’s Desire

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation” (Romans 10:1).

Paul was in anguish over the lost in Israel. Do we share his grief for the lost next door, in our families, at our workplaces, in our nation and across the earth?

Pray: Lord God Almighty, touch my heart so that it longs for the salvation of every person in every nation on earth. May Your Spirit deepen my anguish over those lost in darkness. I cry out to You to give Jesus His inheritance – the ends of the earth!

Listen: Take some time to wait expectantly before the Father. What is God revealing to your heart? Is there a response, a change, an act of repentance or forgiveness that needs to be paid attention to? Is God showing you a next step towards being the answer to the prayer you just prayed?

• The Good and Acceptable Prayer

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

God doesn’t want our lives to be hurried, out of control and frantic. He wants us to lead tranquil and quiet lives in godliness and dignity. This is possible when we pray for others (especially our leaders and those in authority to come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Pray: Father, because You desire all to be saved and to know the truth, that is on my heart also. May I be faithful to pray for all of the men, women and children you place upon my heart and give me a burden to seek You on their behalf. Help me to always pray for those in authority so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

Listen: Take some time to wait expectantly before the Father. What is God revealing to your heart? Is there a response, a change, an act of repentance or forgiveness that needs to be paid attention to? Is God showing you a next step towards being the answer to the prayer you just prayed?

• The God Who Is Always On Time

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

We are an impatient people, used to getting what we want instantly. We are even impatient in prayer, wanting results more than we want to wait upon God’s timing. Let’s choose to believe He is at work in the lives of those for whom we pray and that He will bring their salvation about at the perfect time.

Pray: Father God, You are always right on time, even when I am anxious for answers or results. Help me to faithfully pray for friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers and others who have not yet declared that You are Savior and Lord of their lives. You love every person and want them all to be a part of Your forever kingdom. May I faithfully pray for all of those You put in my path to be drawn to You!

Listen: Take some time to wait expectantly before the Father. What is God revealing to your heart? Is there a response, a change, an act of repentance or forgiveness that needs to be paid attention to? Is God showing you a next step towards being the answer to the prayer you just prayed?

• The Savior Who Seeks the Lost

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Perhaps no one comes to Christ apart from the prayers of at least one other person. We won’t be able to verify this until heaven; however, more people will have the opportunity to come to Christ if we pray than if we don’t.

Pray: Lord, because You came to earth, I have been saved for the purpose of living a life that is Christlike and to pray for the salvation of all who are lost. You found me when I was lost and living apart from the fullness of life You promise to those who love You. Thank You for allowing someone to pray for my salvation, for putting people in my life to speak of You, and for convicting my heart through Your Holy Spirit of the sin in my life. Thank You for the greatest act of sacrificial love – dying on a cross for my salvation and the salvation of all those who have yet to call You Lord and Savior. May I have the privilege of praying thousands into Your kingdom!

Listen: Take some time to wait expectantly before the Father. What is God revealing to your heart? Is there a response, a change, an act of repentance or forgiveness that needs to be paid attention to? Is God showing you a next step towards being the answer to the prayer you just prayed? 

• Prayer for Blinded Minds

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (II Corinthians 4:4).

Because Satan has blinded the minds of those who have yet to know Christ, their minds need to be opened to see the true light of His gospel. As we pray, God moves to change hearts and minds. He makes a way in the most difficult of circumstances for those who are lost to be saved.

Pray: Lord God Almighty, we pray for the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ Jesus, who is Your very image, to be made known to those who are lost. Draw them to Yourself as we seek Your face and ask that in Your mercy, You will move to remove whatever is blocking their minds to receive the gospel. Let them see the futility of going their own way and the blessing of embracing the life-giving Savior. Show me how to help people draw closer to You.

Listen: Take some time to wait expectantly before the Father. What is God revealing to your heart? Is there a response, a change, an act of repentance or forgiveness that needs to be paid attention to? Is God showing you a next step towards being the answer to the prayer you just prayed?

• Lord of the Harvest

“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest’” (Matthew 9:37-38).

Jesus made it very clear to His disciples what their mandate would be – bringing lost people into the kingdom. Never has there been a time in history when more people were in need of Jesus – all across the earth. Jesus said we are to “beseech” the Lord. Other words for beseech are implore, beg, and plead. Are we willing to pray the price of eternal life for countless loved ones, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even those we have never met?

Pray: Lord of the Harvest, awaken my heart more fully and move upon the hearts of those who have yet to discover their usefulness in the amazing harvest that is ripe and ready to be gathered. Give us compassion for those who are lost!

So many are wandering in darkness every single day, and so many others are completely without hope. Show me how to bring others with me to step into the harvest field together. May we be faithful to pray earnestly for the lost who are unreachable by human contact, but who can be reached through the power of Your Spirit as we pray! We ask that You will raise up more workers, and more people who will tell their God stories to the lost across the street and around the world!

Listen: Take some time to wait expectantly before the Father. What is God revealing to your heart? Is there a response, a change, an act of repentance or forgiveness that needs to be paid attention to? Is God showing you a next step towards being the answer to the prayer you just prayed?

(c) Harvest Prayer Ministries