Are you as grieved as God is about the spiritual destination of the lost? According to Barna among twentysomethings, only 6% have beliefs that qualify them as evangelical Christians. This should drive us to our knees for the young generation.
To make it more personal, every person I know has an aching longing about the spiritual condition of someone they love. We have prayed and will continue to pray, but we come to grips with the story of George Mueller, who prayed for the salvation of someone for over 50 years, and the person only came to Christ after Mueller's death. But still, we call out to the Lord for them from a full and burdened heart.
We pray in faith for the salvation of those for whom we are burdened. Effective prayer for the lost impacts God, people, and the kingdom of darkness. We are praying to God, for the benefit of a person, and in opposition to everything that the power of darkness is doing to prevent the person's coming to salvation.
Recognize that Satan has captivated lost people. Pray for their release from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Persist in prayer not because of God's reluctance to save, but because of the resistance of the enemy. 2 Cor 4:3-4, 2 Tim 2:25-26, 1 John 2:15-17
Affirm that God can do the impossible. Mark 10:27, Jer 32:27
Thank God that He desires all to be saved. John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 Tim 2:1, 3-4
Thank Him for the authority of the name of Jesus by which salvation has been purchased. Acts 4:12, John 14:6
Thank Him for His power for salvation. 2 Cor 10:3-5, Rom. 1:16
Thank Him for His gift of salvation. Eph 3:8-9, Rom 5:8, 15
Thank Him that He seeks lost ones and draws them to Himself. Luke 19:10, John 6:44
Claim the person by name for the victory of salvation by the blood of Jesus. Col 1:13-14, 1 Cor 15:57, 1 John 3:8
Pray that the lost one will seek to know God as the Holy Spirit works in him or her. Acts 17:27, Deu 4:29, John 16:8-13
Pray that the lost one will confess Christ as Savior and Lord and turn from sin. John 1:12, Acts 17:30-31, 3:19; Rom 10:9-10,13
Pray that the lost one will yield all to follow Jesus and grow in Him. 2 Cor 5:15, Phil 3:7-8, Col 2:6-7
Praise God that His word does not return to Him without accomplishing His purposes. Rom 10:17, Heb 4:12, Isa 55:11
Be sensitive as the Holy Spirit gives direction to pray and persist in praise.
