The Power of Prayer -- A question

[Mark_S]

Prayer is mentioned hundreds of times throughout the Bible, I'm sure that many, if not all, of us can attribute something in our lives to the power of prayer. But what about praying for the unbeliever that they might find Christ? Is this a proper "use" of prayer? Does the Bible teach us anywhere that we should do this, and that perhaps God will soften the hearts of those people that we pray for in such a manner?


Thanks in Advance,

The "Freshman" (In many ways)
Mark

[Amazing Rando]

Prayer is mentioned hundreds of times throughout the Bible, I'm sure that many, if not all, of us can attribute something in our lives to the power of prayer. But what about praying for the unbeliever that they might find Christ? Is this a proper "use" of prayer?

Why the heck not? :nsm: We pray for other's safety and God's healing for them all the time, so why should we not pray for their spiritual healing and redemption as well?

Does the Bible teach us anywhere that we should do this, and that perhaps God will soften the hearts of those people that we pray for in such a manner?


Thanks in Advance,

The "Freshman" (In many ways)
Mark

I don't know, but it certainly doesn't hurt!

[Cyrus of Persia]

The Bible calls us to pray for ALL people. I don't care is there, or not any hint about praying for unsaved people, i will do it anyway. It's God who opens the hearts, and it's prayer what asks God to do that. Of course while God does that, the person has the right to remain "closed" anyway. But as Rando said: it doesnt hurt anyway.

[luv1another]

Prayer is mentioned hundreds of times throughout the Bible, I'm sure that many, if not all, of us can attribute something in our lives to the power of prayer. But what about praying for the unbeliever that they might find Christ? Is this a proper "use" of prayer? Does the Bible teach us anywhere that we should do this, and that perhaps God will soften the hearts of those people that we pray for in such a manner?


Thanks in Advance,

The "Freshman" (In many ways)
Mark

Mat 18:19 "And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.


Luk 6:28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.


Luk 10:1 After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go.
Luk 10:2 He said to them, "There is a large harvest, but few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest.
Luk 10:3 Go! I am sending you like lambs among wolves.

Mat 5:44 But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

these verses indicate praying for the lost wouldn't they?

[mossrose]

Since we are bound by our finite little brains, and time, and space, we do not know who may or may not come to salvation.

Hence, we are to pray for those who do not know Jesus Christ as Saviour. God knows who will come to Him, and our job is to live lives that reflect Christ to those that we come into contact with.

I pray for my sister, my nephews and nieces, my friends, who do not know the Lord. I don't know if they will come to salvation or not, and I know that even without my prayers, God will draw those who will choose him.

But that doesn't stop me from praying. And I think Luv's verses are quite appropriate.

:sigh: Sometimes I think prayer is more for the person who is doing the praying than it is for the persons being prayed for........

[Xmansmommy]

I don't know whether it's biblical or not to pray for an unbeliever's salvation. But I find myself praying for Him to bring circumstances into their lives that will cause openness receptiveness to the gospel. I believe those circumstances may vary from person to person, but God knows their heart and knows what would cause them to soften or harden their heart and will act accordingly.

[Mark_S]

Thanks all!

And Luv, those verses are great. I appreciate it.

Mark