Praying for Lost Loved Ones

[nebula]

Boy, I've got of things on my heart that I cannot seem to find the words to explain them with. I know what you are talking about. At least for me, the things closest to my heart, I don't want to just say a prayer of words but a prayer from the heart, a prayer that speaks to the need.

Is it something like that?

The only "suggestion" coming to mind is prayer journaling. I could never seem to get into that, so I don't know how it works, per se. But I know some people use it to record needs, and then pray through the list that is written. Some people write their prayers rather than speaking them.

I don't know if that would help you over this hurdle, but it's a thought.

[MeCajunboy]

I was in chat the other night and got into a discussion with someone... does it seem difficult for anybody else to pray for someone in say their family that is really close to them.. in the sense of salvation? I know for the past eight years, it seems easier to pray for anybody else to get saved, but my family. Any thoughts?

Crystal

Hi Crystal,

I do know where you're coming from with this one. I think it's because we have a history and know so much about them. I'd bet if you were very close to a friend as we were to a family member, we'd probably feel much the same. What I do is, imagine that God is with that person as much as anyone else and continue praying for them anyway.

I think for the feelings you've mentioned , because we know the family members' feelings about their "differences" with Christianity that we don't feel committed to praying for them. Remember, the very fact that God has placed them in you mind and life should tell us that we KNOW if they need prayer or not! Heck, if WE need constant prayer and we're here everyday trying to rediscover ourselves and walk faithfully with God, that should tell you how much more we need to pray for others!

Thoughts?

Love

Cajunboy

[kittylover0991]

I am not sure if Bib and I feel the same way on this, but I think for me.. just looking at it.. it seems partially lke faith issue ...

I can't tell you how badly I want them to get saved.. and I've cried only a couple times for their salvation... but sometimes I wonder if because I am so close to this.. becuase I have seen their hatred toward religion for so many years, that I personally can not see them ever getting saved.... there are things going on with my dad and my pastor is starting to drive me crazy saying that i need to be ready for if he asks me about salvation or this Saturday when he said it looks like it might be time for visit... as it seems like he is opening up.. his heart being softened ... to the gospel... it is truly creeping me out because I guess I"ve becomes accustomed to coming to church and during prayer requests "please pray for my family's salvation".. .meaning that, yes, and not just going through the motions, but although I want them to get saved so bed I woudl rather die for them... I can't see them ever getting saved... I can see it in my head... almost, the day that they die without the Lord.. so many times I've reminded myself that if they die without the Lord, not to blame God for that... it is hidden fear that I try not to talk about..

I'm afraid of the day that they die and every second, it seems all so much closer... I can't really see them ever getting saved.. I've always known them not to care about religion...

Yes, I know.. that has to be large part of it.. but other than that, even during those times when my heart is yearning for them to come to Christ, and I know it's possible (how wonderful those days are when the Lord opens my eyes again)... but yet, it has to be hardest thing praying for them...

I'm better praying for a perfect stranger that I don't even know! than my family.. It's easier for me to pray for those that are so close to me.. my church family, lost friends at school, things like that.. so much easier than praying for my family...

The idea of thanking God first and praying.. or even praying with scripture.. that sounds like such a fantastic idea! *really wants to give it a try*

I want my dad to get saved.. .and it's as though I can see it in the horizon... it has made it easier since he liked the church in the toher state where we bought a house (and don't live yet) and did non stop talking about it.. etc... becuase I can thank God for His many wonderful blessings and then with that, ask the Lord for his salvation.. it really does seem easier to ask then...

but asking about my mom ? It seems impossible...

Crystal

[kat8585]

For me, it's easier to pray for my family members than for anyone else, probably because I love them more, and so want to see them saved. Of course I want the others I pray for to be saved too, but my family is most important. Prayers for them are in my heart every moment, even when I don't say the actual words.

[Floatingaxe]

Mark 6:4...

Jesus said to them, "One who speaks for God is respected everywhere but in his own country and among his own family and in his own house."

In a family where there are unbelievers, the best thing to do for them is to pray, and to pray that God will send someone to harvest them. Usually, we cannot do anything but, because we are not received well by our own. So, prayer is the best, but NOT the last resort--it is the best thing and most important thing. It releases the hand of God and His power into the situation...maybe a situation that no one else is praying about, and especially a situation that the unsaved family members are not inviting God into!

Go for it! Live out Christ before them, zip the lip, get into your closet and pray!

[maguschris]

Mark 6:4...

Jesus said to them, "One who speaks for God is respected everywhere but in his own country and among his own family and in his own house."

In a family where there are unbelievers, the best thing to do for them is to pray, and to pray that God will send someone to harvest them. Usually, we cannot do anythingn but, because we are not received well by our own. So, prayer is the best, but NOT the last resort--it is the best thing and most important thing. It releases the hand of God and His power into the situation...maybe a situation that no one else is praying about, and especially a situation that the unsaved family members are not inviting God into!

Go for it! Live out Christ before them, zip the lip, and pray!

Why do believers feel it is necessary to convert everyone they know? Does anyone come up to you telling you guys your all damned to eternal torture because you dont believe as someone else does? I mean c'mon really. No one really knows whats gonna happen after we die.

Lets remember the quote by Urey Gagarin who was on the first manned space flight (bostok 1), which was launched by the Soviets in 1961 "The earth was blue but there was no God"

My point is not to tell anyone they are wrong. Believe what you want to as I will. I only wish to understand your point of view.

[Floatingaxe]

We are called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to EVERY CREATURE. Knowing Jesus Christ, we do know what happens when we die. That is the truth. The question is: Do you want to live eternally in glory, or eternally be tormented? God gives us a free choice. It's not His will that any go to torment, but He is determined that we choose freely. Our job as His kids, is to offer that choice.

[kittylover0991]

As for the quote from the Urey, I have this verse:

"Jhn 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed. "

And as to "why do beleivers feel the need to convert everyone they know"... only God saved the soul.. but htis is our command:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Why? Because:

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned

The penalty for sin is death.. which is an enternity in the lake of fire and hell.. "where the worm dieth not and fire is not quenched"... we don't want people to go there and it is our call to go out and tell others about it.. and preach "Chrisit crucified and risen from the dead"... show people that we are condemned to hell by our sin, but becuse Jesus died and rose again from teh dead the third day, we can have eternal life, which is a "forever" in heaven...

Crystal

Hope this helps

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

"The earth was blue but there was no God"

Strange to quote a Communist who probably at the point of a gun had the statement written for him.

Who is Jesus Christ Maguschris?

Peace,

Dave

[Guest Biblicist]

Boy, I've got of things on my heart that I cannot seem to find the words to explain them with. I know what you are talking about. At least for me, the things closest to my heart, I don't want to just say a prayer of words but a prayer from the heart, a prayer that speaks to the need.

Is it something like that?

The only "suggestion" coming to mind is prayer journaling. I could never seem to get into that, so I don't know how it works, per se. But I know some people use it to record needs, and then pray through the list that is written. Some people write their prayers rather than speaking them.

I don't know if that would help you over this hurdle, but it's a thought.

Nebula, I appreciate your help with this so much.

There are times when I can not find the words to express my feelings and wants for my unsaved family. I know the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans when we can not find the words, (Romans 8:26) but I don't want to rely on that so much. I want to be able to articulate to the Lord what I wish for my family.

Using a prayer journal is a good idea, I had one a while ago and used it but fell out of practice, like so many other spiritual things.

Kitty, My father hated relation too when I was growing up. Specifically, the Catholic and Baptist Religion. I never prayed for him. Though I loved him so much and knew that my mother and other people were praying for him. It wasn't till I got married and moved away [3000 miles away] that I wrote to him and witnessed to him. I just poured out my heart to him that knowledge in Christ was not religion, it was relationship. He did eventually get saved, a few years later, and showed that letter to our pastor, who had befriended him and led him to the Lord.

I do know how you feel though, sometimes I feel as if my husband's family will never get saved. I even have told myself that maybe the Lord is saving them for something else. What I don't know, but I almost talked myself into it.

floatingaxe, thank you for the verse and the encouraging words. Talking about this has given me renewed fervor to pray diligently for my unsaved loved ones.

Cajunboy is right, they are in our lives for a reason. God wants to reach them. He is obviously using us. We need to be obedient and pray for them, and witness to them whenever the opportunity arises.

Many thanks to you all, I hope we can continue this conversation.

In His Mighty Grip,

Bib