Message #1 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"Praying for the Lost"

by Kaye Johns

Are there loved ones in your life who are tripping over the "stumbling block," who consider the Gospel foolishness? Paul said in First Corinthians, "...we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles...." [1 Corinthians 1:23]

Jesus continues to be a stumbling block and foolishness to many because we must all make a decision to accept or reject the truth, that He is the Son of God, Who died on the cross for us [1 Peter 3:18]. We must not only decide, but we must receive Him. John writes, "...to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...." [John 1:12]--to no one else.

It isn’t belief in God that gets us to heaven, but faith and trust in His Son [John 5:24, 6:40, 11:25-26]. Jesus alone is the way, the truth and the life [John 14:6]. No one can come to the Father except through Him [John 6:44]. Some have not yet accepted this truth, and without it, they perish [Luke 13:3,5].

Knowing this, what is the one most important thing we can do to help our loved ones come to that point of decision? We must bear witness of His truth in our lives, and we must pray--because it is God alone who draws them [John 6:44], who enables them to believe [John 6:65], who gives them the gift of faith [Ephesians 2:8]. And He chooses to use our prayers [Isaiah. 62:6; 1 Timothy 2:1-4].

We must ask ourselves: do we pray as fervently for the lost as we do for those who are saved? Do we pray persistently, for years if we must? Do we pray as though our prayers will make an eternal difference?

Pray with me now -- Father, help us pray for each lost one that we know as though we were the only one bringing them to You in prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

ã 1999 PrayerPower Ministries, P.O. Box 1368, Dallas, TX 75380-1368, 1-800-949-PRAY.
May be copied for personal or church use; please include PrayerPower name, address and phone on copies.