Tuesday Devotion and Prayer. May 23, 2023
“Your Unsaved Loved Ones”
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
Praying for your unsaved loved ones is not for the faint of heart. It can be challenging to persist in prayer, especially when your loved one’s life may be on a treacherous path. Sometimes, when it comes to our walk with the Lord, it’s all we can do to keep our heads above water. How can we find the perseverance to keep fighting in prayer for our loved one’s salvation?
Like any situation we face, we can always go to the truth of God’s Word. His truth sets us free and equips us to stay in the fight. However, if you come to God in prayer, strong, weak, discouraged, or hopeful, remember that God hears our prayers (Psalm 18:6). We can begin by reminding ourselves that God is the One who created them. He knows them better than we do. He knows where they are when we don’t. He knows their thoughts, intentions, and lifestyle they are living. Nothing is hidden from God (Hebrews 4:13).
James 5:16 says,
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Did you read the last part? The prayers of a righteous man avail much! 1 Peter 3:12 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” If we seek the Lord’s will for our life and partner with Him to live as He calls us to live as His disciples, we can take great comfort in knowing that God is attentive to our prayers.
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus shares a parable with His disciples to encourage them never to stop praying. A widow went to an unjust judge begging for justice from her adversary. Eventually, the judge relented because of her persistence. Verse 7 says, “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?” But Jesus asked if He would find faith when the Son of Man came. There is no doubt praying is an act of faith. Let’s be determined to be persistent and faithful in prayer.
Heavenly Father,
2 Corinthians 6:2 says,”(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” Father, we are lifting our unsaved loved ones to you. Please soften their hearts. We ask that You take their hearts of stone and turn them into a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). Please open their minds to understanding (Luke 24:45). We pray that You would grant us opportunities to speak with them, but more importantly that we would continue to come to you in prayer for them.
God, You are not slack concerning your promises but are longsuffering toward us, unwilling that any should perish. Father, we ask that Your lovingkindness draw them to you (Romans 2:4). When we see them and interact with them, let it be Your love for them that they see. Help us be patient, kind, humble, and seek our loved one’s best. Help us to believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. Help us to love them like You have loved us (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Lord, we cannot do any of this apart from You. Please give us Your strength. We love you. Thank you for hearing our prayers and being all we need in every situation. We commit our loved ones to Your loving and capable hands. In Your son Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!
