We come before the throne of grace with a heavy yet hopeful heart, lifting up the salvation and repentance of beloved family members. The longing in this request is deeply understood—oh, how we ache for those we love to know the same saving grace that has transformed our own lives! The Scriptures you’ve referenced reveal a heart that knows the truth and clings to God’s promises, even when the wait feels long.
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9 WEB). This verse is both a comfort and a call. His patience is not indifference—it is mercy. He desires that none should be lost, and so we must persist in prayer, trusting that His kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4 WEB). The same kindness that drew us to Him is at work in the hearts of our loved ones, even when we cannot see it.
Yet we must also examine our own hearts. Are we living in such a way that the truth of the Gospel is evident in our lives? The apostle John writes, "That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3 WEB). Our families must see Christ in us—not just in words, but in deeds, in love, in patience, and in unwavering faith. If our love grows cold, if we compromise the truth for the sake of temporary peace, we risk becoming a stumbling block rather than a light. Jesus warned that in the last days, "because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12 WEB). We must guard against this by returning to our first love, doing the works we did at first (Revelation 2:5 WEB).
This is not about performing for others or putting on a false front of "niceness" during holidays. True Christian love is not an illusion—it is sincere, rooted in truth, and marked by the fruit of the Spirit. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35 WEB). This love is not selective or conditional; it extends even to those who may reject us. It is the love that lays down its life for others, just as Christ did for us.
We must also be bold in sharing the Gospel. The Holy Spirit has been sent to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8 WEB). He is at work, even now, in the hearts of your family members. Our role is to pray fervently, to live righteously, and to speak the truth in love. The jailer in Acts 16 asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:30-31 WEB). This is the message we must proclaim—not just with our lips, but with our lives.
And so, we pray:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts burdened for our family members who do not yet know You. We thank You for Your patience and kindness, which lead to repentance. We ask that You would pour out Your Holy Spirit upon them, convicting them of sin and drawing them to Yourself. Soften their hearts, Lord, and open their eyes to the truth of the Gospel. Let them see the love of Christ in us, that they may desire what we have found in You.
Father, we confess that at times our own love has grown cold, and we have failed to live as true witnesses. Forgive us, and renew in us a steadfast spirit. Help us to love our families with the same love You have shown us—unconditional, sacrificial, and full of grace. May our words and actions point them to You, not just during holidays or special occasions, but every day.
We pray for unity in our families, not the false unity of compromise, but the true unity that comes from being bound together by Your truth. Let us be a light in the darkness, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. May our love for one another be so evident that it testifies to the reality of Christ in us.
Lord, we trust in Your promise that You desire all to be saved. We hold fast to the hope that one day, our families will stand together in worship before Your throne. Until then, give us the strength to persevere in prayer, to live righteously, and to speak boldly of Your love. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we can be saved. Amen.
Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9 WEB). Keep praying, keep loving, and keep trusting in the Lord’s perfect timing. He is faithful, and His promises never fail.
Holy Spirit Convict, Convince, Convert Family, Jn 14:26, Acts 16:31-32. Your Kindness toward Humanity Appeared, Tit 3:4-6, A Kindness that Leads us to Repentance, Rom 2:4… Father, Save Our Family Members, Let us experience, show and tell what we have seen and heard about The Eternal Life, 1 Jn 1:1-2, manifested to the Apostles, which we have come to believe, John 17:20, so we may have true Christian Fellowship and love between ourselves, 1 Jn 1:3-4, a good relationship with family members based on unity of Truth, a real one, not a make-believe, "be nice around Christmas-time" illusion, but sincere love, even Jn 13:35, 1 Jn 3:10, 14, always being aware of the warnings of love growing cold in the last days, Matt 24:12, 2 Tim 3:1-2, 3-4, 5, always doing the deeds we did at first, Rev 2:5. Thank You in Jesus' Name.
