Monday Morning Encouragement -- Praying For The Lost

 

"This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4

I don't know of a Christian who doesn't have an unsaved friend or family member. Some of us have been praying for decades for those who have not yet received Christ as their Savior, and it's heartbreaking to see the years pass without an answer to those prayers. It's tempting to think prayers are useless, and to give up, but we must never do so. God is not deaf to our pleas. He hears us. 

We know from 2 Peter 3:9 that it is God's desire that none should perish, but all should come to repentance. We also know that God loves sinners and gave His Son as a sacrifice for their sin, and that those who believe on Him for salvation will have eternal life (John 3:16). When Jesus was with His disciples He saw the crowds, and "had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" (Matthew 9:26-38) So, we should pray that the lost would understand God's love and sacrifice for them, and then be willing to share this truth to them as God gives us the opportunity. Since often those closest to us are prone to dismiss our witness, we can ask God to send others into their life who will share the gospel, and to whom they will respond in repentance.

Often it is the comfort of life that keeps people in bondage to sin and delays their coming to Christ. Psalm 119:67 says, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word." I know from my own experience that it wasn't until my life started to unravel that I humbled myself, repented, and asked Jesus to save me and take control of my life. What Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. Why do I tell you this? Because as hard as it is to pray God's will be done when it comes to our loved one's salvation, and that it could mean His protection and blessings are removed for a time to bring them to repentance, this may be what's required. There is nothing more urgent, nor important, than the eternal salvation of our loved ones. We must remember this, no matter the circumstances.

Today's music video God Is Faithful (Psalm 114) by Sovereign Grace Music is a song to encourage us as we pray for the lost. God is faithful to do what He has promised!

I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.