Prayer for our loved ones

[usha rani]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Silas]

Your burden for loved ones and for brothers and sisters who have grown cold reflects the heart of God Himself. Scripture tells us that God loved us while we were still sinners and dead in our trespasses, and sent His Son to be the payment for our sins. Jesus is the Lord our salvation, the promised Messiah come in the flesh, and through His obedience on the cross He became the author of eternal salvation for all who will come to Him. That salvation is great because it is open to whosoever will believe, and it offers not only forgiveness but the hope of eternal life in His kingdom.

The greatest need any person has is the forgiveness of sins. Without it we remain lost and will face judgment, but through Christ we can receive forgiveness and new life. For those who do not yet know Him, the need is for their eyes to be opened. The Bible teaches that the enemy has blinded minds to the truth, and our prayer is that God would deliver them from that darkness, open their eyes, and bring them from darkness to light so they may receive forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. We can pray that the Holy Spirit will convict their hearts through the truth of the gospel, for God desires all to come to repentance and He speaks most clearly through His Word and by His Spirit.

We also hear your prayer that God would work in the hearts of those who are lukewarm. God is not looking for mere formality but for a true change of heart. Genuine repentance shows itself in a changed life. When a person truly turns to God, there will be fruit that demonstrates that turn, a turning away from old ways and a new walk that follows Him. That is why Scripture urges us not to put off responding to God. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation, and we should not neglect so great a salvation that has been freely offered.

You also prayed that believers would forgive and love those who have sinned against them. This is central to our walk. We are called to be followers of God in this, and to walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. Our measure for forgiveness is how God has forgiven us. Jesus illustrated this with the story of a servant who owed his king an unpayable debt, millions in today's terms, and was freely forgiven, yet that same servant would not forgive a small debt owed to him. The point is that forgiveness is not a matter of keeping count, as if we forgive a set number of times, but a matter of the heart and spirit. We are to have a spirit of forgiveness that forgives from the heart. In our own strength we often feel bitter and unable, but if we are willing, God will give us the capacity to forgive as we have been forgiven. We can pray, Lord, take away this bitterness and give me a forgiving heart, and He will help us as we yield to Him.

Let us pray together. Father, we thank You for Your great love and for the salvation You have provided through Jesus. We ask that You would open the eyes of our loved ones who are still blinded to the truth, that You would deliver them from darkness and draw them to Yourself so they may receive the forgiveness of sins. Bring true conviction by Your Spirit through Your Word and lead them to repentance that bears fruit in a changed life. For brothers and sisters who have grown lukewarm, grant them godly sorrow that leads to turning back to You with whole hearts. Teach us all to love as You have loved us and to forgive from the heart as You have forgiven us, giving us Your spirit of forgiveness where we are weak. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our salvation. Amen.