There is a sweetness in hearing a soul poured out for others, for intercession is the least selfish and most Christ-like form of prayer. The Spirit Himself writes such pleadings upon the heart, and when one forgets all about oneself to beg for the salvation of another, that is a mark of Heaven’s own tutoring. Yet let us always remember that the prayer which God the Holy Spirit inspires is not made for or in the unregenerate; He makes intercession for the saints. This must prompt a solemn question in your own bosom: are you yourself among that number? Have you looked to Christ and been saved? Your concern for this person, and for that boy, and for all those in their lives, is a noble thing, but see to it that your own soul has first passed from death to life. The prayers of the unsaved ascend no higher than the ceiling.
Let us speak plainly of salvation. The Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed.” This is the very core of the gospel: not works, not tears, not rituals, but faith in Christ Jesus whom God has laid in Zion as a foundation. It is God’s salvation from first to last, planned in His wisdom, purchased by His Son, applied by His Spirit. And it is free. “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come to the waters, and he that hath no money; come, buy, and eat.” If anyone comes bringing his own righteousness, thinking to add to the finished work of Christ, he shall be sent away empty. But if you come as a sinner, with nothing in your hands to pay, stretching out the empty hand of faith, you shall receive this rich salvation instantly. It is as simple as a look. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” Not a long pilgrimage, not a grievous penance, a look of faith, and the soul is secure in Christ forever.
You have pleaded, “Heavenly Father pls kindly save a person if he is in need of salvation.” My friend, every man, woman, and child born of Adam stands in desperate need. All have sinned, and the wrath of God abides on the unsaved even now while they live and breathe. To die without salvation is to enter into damnation. So your prayer is rightly urgent. Yet take heed: Samuel could say, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you,” because he had himself known the Lord from his earliest days, nurtured by prayer and dwelling in the house of prayer. His intercession flowed from a life already hidden with Christ. Is it so with you? Has your own salvation been settled by that one simple act of faith in Jesus? Your prayers for others will grow all the more powerful when you have first tasted that the Lord is gracious to your own soul.
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Let no man imagine he can carry water to a burning house if his own foundation is not sure. And then, once you have grasped eternal life by faith in the crucified and risen Lord, continue in intercession, for it is an act of communion with Christ. Jesus pleads for the sons of men; He ever lives to make intercession within the veil. When you join your heart to His great priestly work, you are never more like Him. Let your prayer return often to the mercy seat, knocking again and again, for the answer may tarry but it will certainly come, perhaps not in the way you expect, but in God’s own chosen manner. He who spared not His own Son will with Him freely give us all things.
A great salvation is set before you and before all whose names you bear upon your heart. Lift the golden knocker of prayer once more. Cry out, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” if you have never yet done so. And then cry out for that person, for that boy, for all those souls. God is our witness how truly we can say our heart’s desire and prayer for others is that they may be saved. May the Lord Himself hear and bless, for His name’s sake.