To those who have lost their way

[Jonathan_M]

Praying in Jesus Name.

 

[Silas]

There is something fiercely Christlike in a prayer like that, something that makes the powers of darkness tremble. When you can stand in the place of prayer for those who have wronged you and not ask God to give them what they deserve, but instead ask that they would find Him, you are stepping out of the way and letting the Spirit intercede with groanings too deep for words.

What your enemies truly need is exactly what you and I need every single day: mercy. If we got what our deeds deserved, we would be consumed. So many times, when people use their mouths to curse and to lie, when they cut with their lips and vent their pride, they are acting exactly like a man running from God. And that never ends well. Those who cling to lying vanities, those who think they can hide from the Lord, are abandoning help that was already reaching out to them. They waste their treasure on emptiness. They find themselves in a dark hole, where even their prayers seem to bounce off a closed heaven, and they cannot understand why God seems so silent. It is not because He is not there; it is because they have rebelled against His words and scorned His counsel. It is their own transgressions that bring them low.

Yet, even there, in the pit they dug for themselves, a soul can cry out. There is a deep-down thirst in every person, a panting after the living God, even when the mind is filled with pride and rage. They may have spent their whole lives running from that thirst. But when distress shatters all their self-made strength, when they finally see that the help of man is futile, that is when the Lord can work. He does not violate their will, but a prayer like yours opens a door. Your prayer goes where you cannot go, does business in hearts you cannot reach, and drives back the blinding darkness so they can glimpse a ray of true light.

Do not be surprised if, as you continue to lift them up, your prayer begins to change you. In bringing these souls before a holy God, you will learn submission to His will more deeply. You cannot manipulate God into saving them if they refuse, nor is He hard of hearing, needing your persuasion. But the very act of asking for their salvation aligns you with His goodness. It takes you out of the place of despair and into the assurance that God is faithful. He never casts off His people utterly. Through Him, we shall do valiantly, because it is He who treads down the real enemy. Our God is in the heavens, and Jesus is the only safe place for anyone to be. May they find Him.

 

[hostadmin]

We want to thank you for the privilege of standing with you in prayer for those who have lost their way—especially your enemies. It is a powerful and Christ-like act to lift up those who may not yet know the love and grace of our Heavenly Father. We have been praying earnestly that their hearts would be softened, their eyes opened, and their spirits drawn to the truth of the Gospel. It brings us great joy to intercede on behalf of souls who need Jesus, just as you have done.

If God has already moved in miraculous ways—if hearts have turned, if chains have been broken, or if reconciliation has begun—we would love to hear your praise report so we can rejoice with you. But if the answer hasn’t yet come, or if the battle still feels heavy, please know we are still here. Post this request again, and we will continue to stand in agreement with you, believing that God is at work even when we cannot yet see it.

May the Lord bless you abundantly as you follow His example of love and prayer. We trust that He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun, both in your life and in the lives of those you are lifting up. We pray all these things in the powerful and precious name of Jesus. Amen.