2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

God created and deeply loves every person, each of whom reflects and embodies His image. Though sin entered the world and humanity was separated from Him, God made a way for us to be restored through Jesus Christ. His desire is that all people would be saved and brought back into right relationship with Him. As 2 Peter 3:9 says, the Lord does not wish that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. This is the hope we carry—that through Christ, anyone can be made new. As believers, we are called to join God in this mission by praying for the lost and sharing the gospel. If your heart is not stirred with compassion and a sense of urgency for the lost, ask God to align your heart with His and to give you His love for those who have not yet come to know Him.

This world is full of people who haven’t yet experienced the hope of Jesus. Just look around you, and you’ll see. Look no further than your family, your front yard or your workplace. People all around desperately need the love and hope of Jesus. We are called to intercede on their behalf—praying for their hearts to soften, their eyes to open, and for God to reveal their need for a Savior. Let’s spend some time praying for people to be saved today. As you pray for the lost to receive Jesus, here are some things you can specifically pray for: 

  • For God to draw them near and reveal Himself clearly to them.
  • For God to humble them and bring them to the end of themselves, that they would recognize their sin and their need for a Savior.
  • For God to remove the spiritual blindness from their eyes and help them see the truth.
  • For softened hearts and open minds to receive the message of Jesus.
  • For repentance and full surrender to Jesus Christ.
  • Pray God’s promises from Scripture over them.

Be persistent and faithful in prayer, trusting God to move in His perfect timing. And be patient–for God is often working in ways we don’t yet see or understand. Trust that God hears and moves in response to our prayers.

The Lord also calls us to share the gospel with people. As you pray for people, ask God for courage and clarity to share Jesus when the Holy Spirit prompts you. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37-38). Let’s be faithful laborers, willing to speak truth and share the hope of Jesus, even when it’s uncomfortable or feels awkward. God wants to save the lost, and I believe He wants to use this fast and the Worship, Prayer and Healing night to bring more into saving knowledge of Him. Let’s pray that God would bring the right people to WPH, that they may encounter his love and healing, and that many would be saved, and even baptized! At the Call to Praying and Fasting night the Sunday before the fast began, we had a “Salvation Station” where people wrote and posted up names of non-believers. Pray that these individuals would each come to know Christ. May WPH be a place of salvation, restoration, and the power of God on full display.

Listening Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to bring some names to mind, of whom you can pray for their salvation. Take some time to pray for them. Ask the Holy Spirit if there is something you can do to share Jesus with them, whether by word or action.

 

Prayer: Father God, please give me your heart for the lost. Fill my heart with compassion for those that don’t yet know you. I pray specifically for _________________. Lord, show them that you are real and that you love them. Show them their need for you and help them to see that you are the answer. Lord, please reveal yourself to them and transform their heart. I pray that they would come to the saving knowledge of you, Jesus. I pray that they would repent of their sin and declare that you are Lord. I pray that you would remove any obstacles that keep them from knowing you and receiving you as their Lord and Savior. Humble them. Open their eyes. Father, I also specifically pray for WPH. I pray that many will finally surrender their lives to you at WPH. I pray that hope, love, joy and peace would abound. I pray that many would also be baptized. May you be glorified in all of it. I pray all of this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

Bible Verses on Praying for the Lost:

Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

1 Timothy 2:4 “Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.”

 

Worship Song: