When Do We Stop Praying For Others...

[Veggietales]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering how long do we pray for people who are caught up in sin and don't want to leave it? Or those who are leading sinful lives and never want to come to Christ? I ask because I have been praying for someone for years about coming to Christ and getting saved but nothing has happened yet? I've heard that it is a sin to pray for the same things over and over again from a Minister at my Church, but the Bible says to pray without ceasing. I'm so confused here can someone help me?

[MorningGlory]

I believe the minister in question doesn't know what he's talking about. There is no limit on prayer. I would challenge him to back his claim with Scripture. He will not be able to do that.

[EricH]

I would not think there is a reason to stop praying, Biblically

[other one]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering how long do we pray for people who are caught up in sin and don't want to leave it? Or those who are leading sinful lives and never want to come to Christ? I ask because I have been praying for someone for years about coming to Christ and getting saved but nothing has happened yet? I've heard that it is a sin to pray for the same things over and over again from a Minister at my Church, but the Bible says to pray without ceasing. I'm so confused here can someone help me?

Pray for them until five days after they are graveyard dead.....

Your minister at church is confused or congusing you. While Jesus told us not to use vain repetitous words when we pray, he gave us an example of what you are talking about here:

Luke 18:1-8

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'"

6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

NKJV

What your pastor is talking abou us using vain repetition in an individual prayer. Asking the same thing over and over in a single prayer, and usually to be noticed.

Matt 6:5-7

"And when you pray , you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray , go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray , do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

NKJV

And by the way, you could do that minister a favor by pointing this out to him so that he does not give that advice to others.

It is perfectly ok to literally bug God for something that important.

Just remember that it is not Gods decision whether or not a person comes to Christ that individual person has to make that decision........ so don't stop asking that person yourself to go along with the prayers.

[Sir Gareth]

Don't stop praying until their dead!

Pray without ceasing!

[Guest TheKingsDaughter]

Don't stop praying until their dead!

Pray without ceasing!

Amen!

[Blien]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering how long do we pray for people who are caught up in sin and don't want to leave it? Or those who are leading sinful lives and never want to come to Christ? I ask because I have been praying for someone for years about coming to Christ and getting saved but nothing has happened yet? I've heard that it is a sin to pray for the same things over and over again from a Minister at my Church, but the Bible says to pray without ceasing. I'm so confused here can someone help me?

It's not a sin to constantly raise up requests. The Bible says pray without ceasing so why should you listen to man?

Regarding your friends though... I'm not sure. I recall Jesus saying to his disciples that if their message is not well received to dust off their feet as they leave the town. Could that be applied to this??

I have no clue.

[Veggietales]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering how long do we pray for people who are caught up in sin and don't want to leave it? Or those who are leading sinful lives and never want to come to Christ? I ask because I have been praying for someone for years about coming to Christ and getting saved but nothing has happened yet? I've heard that it is a sin to pray for the same things over and over again from a Minister at my Church, but the Bible says to pray without ceasing. I'm so confused here can someone help me?

Pray for them until five days after they are graveyard dead.....

Your minister at church is confused or congusing you. While Jesus told us not to use vain repetitous words when we pray, he gave us an example of what you are talking about here:

Luke 18:1-8

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'"

6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

NKJV

What your pastor is talking abou us using vain repetition in an individual prayer. Asking the same thing over and over in a single prayer, and usually to be noticed.

Matt 6:5-7

"And when you pray , you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray , go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray , do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

NKJV

And by the way, you could do that minister a favor by pointing this out to him so that he does not give that advice to others.

It is perfectly ok to literally bug God for something that important.

Just remember that it is not Gods decision whether or not a person comes to Christ that individual person has to make that decision........ so don't stop asking that person yourself to go along with the prayers.

Thank you so much for the scriptures and to everyone else advice. I will continue to pray for the person in question.

[Veggietales]

Veggietales, people give you good advice in this thread.

Here's a great and very true example for you even though it has nothing to do with asking for someone's Salvation:

For 5 years, I have been praying over and over and over again for God to help me quit smoking. 3 weeks and some change, I have not taken another puff nor have I put any kind of nicotine/tobacco in/on my body. And yes, you are correct, His Word does tell us to pray without ceasing. So we must do just that. Blessings!

Congratulations on quitting the smoking habit. Praise God! And thank you much for replying. I will definitely continue to keep praying for this individual.

Edited November 18, 2009 by Veggietales

[Believer1997]

Pray without ceasing and do not stop. Let God deal with it.