Praying for the Lost

I mentioned in our church service last night that I would post a handout I had previously given on praying for our lost friends, family, neighbors and co workers. This is a seven day prayer guide. It is short and Scripturally based, but focuses our attention on the need of salvation for all people (us included). The intention is for this prayer guide to become a regular part of our daily prayer life. I encourage you to take it and list 5-6 individuals for whom you will offer these prayers each week until we see the Gospel of Jesus Christ takes hold of their lives.

7 Day Prayer for Our Unbelieving Friends, Family, and Coworkers

The following is a week’s worth of Scripture and prayer to guide us as we pray for the lost.

Day 1

Titus 3.5 “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”

God, My Father,

Just as you saved me because of Your great mercy, please save my loved ones (insert names here). Forgive me for my self-righteousness. I was once like these lost loved ones, and it was only Your mercy, not my righteousness, that saved me. Amen.

Day 2

1 Peter 3.18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God”

Dear God,

Since Jesus once and for all suffered and died for all sin, I ask that you help me take that message of hope to the following people (List Names), so that they might have faith and, like me, may be brought to You through His blood. For the sake of Christ Jesus, who alone is worthy, amen.

Day 3

1 John 2.2 “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Gracious and Mighty God

Since you have given Christ Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, I ask that that ___________ would come to understand this reality. I also pray for the many nations of our world, that they might come to know you through faith as your blood paid their ransom as well as mine. I ask that they come to know you in the same way that I do. I know this for sure, that the blood of Christ has paid the full price for sin and I ask that that payment be made effective in their lives. In His name, Amen.

Day 4

Acts 4.12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 2.21 “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Merciful God,

How great is Your grace that all I had to do as a sinner was  call upon the name of Jesus and I was saved. It is all because He had paid the price for my sins with His blood. Lord, enable other sinners to call upon You! I pray for _____________ that they will be given the opportunity to call upon Your Great name. Lord, I pray that you will send believers to them to tell of Your name, for how will they call upon You if they have never heard of You. I pray God for boldness, that I might seize the opportunity to share with them the name that is above all other names. I love you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Day 5

2 Cor. 4.4 “In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Almighty God,

The god of this world is below Your power. I pray for ____________________, that you would open their eyes to the glory of Christ, just as You did for me. You were merciful to me to let me see the beauty of the Gospel and I pray for the same mercy on behalf of ____________________. For the glory of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Day 6

Col. 4.3-6 “At the same time, pray also for us, that god may open to us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison – that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Lord God,

I pray that You will open a door for me to tell the Gospel to someone, perhaps even ______________________, today or in the next few days. I also pray for those around the world who are doing the work of the evangelist, whether a pastor, missionary, or layperson. Please open the door for the message of the Gospel everywhere and in every nation. I pray that you will enable those who are sharing the message of Christ to proclaim it with clarity as they should. Remind me to be wise around the unbelievers and to make the most of every opportunity. This is all for the salvation of others and the glory of your name, amen.

Day 7

John 16.24 “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Dear God,

I ask in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, that my prayers for the salvation of ________________________ be answered. Complete not only my joy, but theirs, in seeing them respond to Your Gospel in faith. I seek only to build Your Kingdom and make disciples for You, my Lord. In the name above all other names, that is Jesus Christ, amen.

May the Lord our God bless these people for whom we are praying with an awareness of the need of salvation through Christ Jesus and give us strength to open our mouths with the wonderful words of life He alone offers. Let us be prepared to storm the gates of hell to claim these souls for the Kingdom of God!