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Praying for the Lost

Praying for the Lost

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

We have to have a spirit grip our hearts so that we want revival and a move of God more than anything.

Matthew 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

We do not need to forget why we are here.

Matthew 5:13-17  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  (14)  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (17)  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Regrettably, most churches pray far too little about evangelism. Somehow, we think we can reach non-believers in our own power, failing to realize that non-believers are held captive by a supernatural enemy (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

We need our church to be evangelistic.  Here is a simple plan to bathe the process in prayer.

We need to realize the state of non-believers.
The Bible is clear about non-believers.
They are blinded.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Those who are held in darkness.

Colossians 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Those in the devil’s kingdom.

Acts 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Those condemned already.

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Those who are dead in their trespasses.

Ephesians 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Nothing short of the divine intervention of God can change this state. As we realize the necessity of prayer on behalf of non-believers and we begin to pray, then God can change the heart.

Establish prayer partners who will pray for each other to be evangelistic.
The Bible says where 2 or 3 are gathered together:

Matthew 18:19-20  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.  (20)  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The apostle Paul knew that he also needed prayer to be evangelistic.

Ephesians 6:19-20  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,  (20)  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul longed for fellow believers to pray that they would be obedient and courageous, and clearly speak the gospel every time a door was open for him to evangelize. If Paul needed that kind of prayer support, how much more do you and I?

We need to focus our prayers.

The prayer team to pray for four non-believers by name.

Most believers at least know some non-believers, though our relationships with them may not be strong. Ask God to direct the attention of each prayer team to four non-believers in their lives, and then start praying for them by name. Pray with the compassion of Paul, whose heart’s longing was for Israel to be saved.

Romans 10:1  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Here is a model of prayer we can use.:
H – Pray for non-believers to have a receptive heart to the gospel.
E – Pray that their spiritual eyes will be opened.
A – Pray that they will have God’s attitude toward sin.
R – Pray that they will be released to believe.
T – Pray that their lives will be transformed.
Pray specifically for “people groups” in your community. People that you know personally.

 

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