When we consider family and friends who are living outside of a relationship with Jesus, it is sometimes difficult to know how to pray effectively without giving up. Often, it is not enough to proclaim the message to those we love. There are forces of darkness working overtime to keep people from hearing and responding to the gospel. The salvation of people is a spiritual battle, but God has given us spiritual weapons with which to fight and make a way for those we love to enter the Kingdom of God.

Here are 9 biblical ways to pray for lost people we care deeply about:

1. Believe that their salvation is possible.
Mark 10:25-27 – “‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’”
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, ‘Who then can be saved?’
Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’”
Prayer: Lord, I believe that _______’s salvation is possible!

2. Intercede for them daily – don’t give up!

1 Timothy 2:1-4 – “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Prayer: Lord, I bring _______to Your throne! Help me remember to let Heaven hear his/her name every day!

3. Ask God to draw them to Himself.

John 6:44 – ““No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Prayer: Father, draw _______to Yourself so that he/she can hear and believe the Gospel of Christ.

4. Pray for the Holy Spirit to convict unbelievers concerning sin, righteousness and judgment.

John 16:8-11 – “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.”
Prayer: Lord, please convict _______of sin and help them to recognize that righteousness comes only through Jesus Christ.

5. Ask God to remove the veil that blinds the minds of unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 4:4 – “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.”

Prayer: Father, please remove the veil that blinds _______’s mind. Do whatever You need to do to get his/her attention.

6. Know that you have the authority to demolish strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:4 – “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

Prayer: Lord, I pray in the powerful name of Jesus that You will defeat the work of Satan in _______’s life!

7. Ask God for good soil.

Matthew 13:19-23 – “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Prayer: Father, please help the Gospel to fall on good soil in _______’s heart so that he/she will hear the word and understand it!

8. Yield to the will of God.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 – “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

Prayer: Father, teach me, as I pray, to yield to Your plans and purposes for _______instead of my own.

9. Praise God for His victory over the power of the enemy.

Psalm 44:4-8 – “You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.”

Prayer: Father, we praise You, that in the Name of Jesus You will have the victory in _______’s life.

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