Have you ever tried to share the love of Jesus to someone you love, in the hope that they too would come to believe in Him, only to find yourself faced with strong opposition and resulting failure? The key to the the Good News (The Gospel) breaking into people’s hearts successfully is not necessarily a better presentation of the Good News, or your ability to persuade and “sell” the Gospel. The key to the salvation of people you love is PRAYER — crafted, specific, and, most importantly, Scripture-based prayer.
There are countless verses of promise in the Bible for you to base your prayers on, as you pray for people you love by name. Here are a few to help guide you in your prayers:
Father God, I know that “no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them” (John 6:44). I ask that You draw _____________ to Your Jesus, that he/she may know You personally and spend eternity with You.
Lord God, I ask that You move upon _____________’s heart to accept the Truth and Power of Christ. “For I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for the will return to Me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7)
Overwhelm _____________ with the reality of Your love for him/her, that he/she may “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18-19).
Lord, use me to “open _____________’s eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in [You]” (Acts 26:18).
Holy Spirit, show me specifically how to minister to each member of my family—whether I should “be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; [or] show mercy, mixed with fear” (Jude 1:23). Reveal opportunities to share about You, and give me the strength to obey when You open the door.
Father God, Your Word says that “godly sorrow brings repentance which leads to salvation and leaves no regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Only You can open our eyes to the reality that all have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. Come upon _____________ with a sense of godly sorrow for his/her sin, that he/she may repent, surrender to You, and be saved.
Prayer is all about rest and faith— it’s trusting God that, as we pray, He is the one who is moving to change and open people’s hearts to the beauty and power of salvation in Christ. You may see answers to your prayers immediately, or it may take years for you to see the impact of your prayers.. Either way, keep on praying!. The spiritual battle (see Ephesians 6:12-20) we are in is ultimately a battle we win, if we never give up in prayer. God is in the business of doing the impossible, and He can change even the hardest of hearts.