Do You Pray For the Lost

Here is a an encouraging article about Praying For the Lost by John MacArthur

Before Jesus gave up His spirit as He hung on the cross, He took time to pray for those who were murdering Him. He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

God began to answer His prayer on the Day of Pentecost as some three thousand people repented and were baptized that day, and there have been countless multitudes that have been saved through the centuries. In response to Jesus’ intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12), God has snatched many souls from eternal death.

Do you have a heart to pray for the lost like Jesus did? Do you have the passion that inspired John Knox to plead, “Give me Scotland or I die”? Is your attitude that of George Whitefield, who prayed, “O Lord, give me souls or take my soul”? Do you, like Henry Martyn, mourn when you see others trapped in false religion and cry out, “I cannot endure existence if Jesus is to be so dishonored”?

God used those faithful men as powerful tools to bring salvation to dying people. Each of them had a clear and vivid understanding of what is at stake in the gospel — it’s an issue of life or death, an eternity in heaven or hell. Do you realize that your unbelieving family members, your co-workers, and your neighbors will spend forever suffering in torment away from the presence of God if they don’t embrace Christ? That realization should drive you to your knees to plead, not only with them to believe the gospel, but with God to save their souls.

The seventeenth-century English Puritan Richard Baxter wrote,
Oh, if you have the hearts of Christians or of men in you, let them yearn towards your poor ignorant, ungodly neighbors. Alas, there is but a step betwixt them and death and hell; many hundred diseases are waiting ready to seize on them, and if they die unregenerate, they are lost forever.
Have you hearts of rock, that cannot pity men in such a case as this? If you believe not the Word of God, and the danger of sinners, why are you Christians yourselves? If you do believe it, why do you not bestir yourself to the helping of others? (cited in I.D.E. Thomas, ed., A Puritan Golden Treasury [Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1977], 92)

It is one thing to pray for family and friends, those for whom you have natural affections. But God wants you to pray for all people. Paul writes, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Kings and people in authority in Paul’s day weren’t bound by civil rights and were often unjust, self-serving, and cruel. Do you pray for the salvation of people like that — those who disagree with you politically, those who advocate ungodly agendas, those who openly embrace sin and reject the Scripture?

The Bible has several examples of radical evangelistic prayer, and for the worst of sinners. Here are a few examples:

Moses interceded for Israel after catching them in orgiastic idolatry at the foot of Mount Sinai. After he confronted and dealt with their sin, he turned to the Lord and prayed, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if You will, forgive their sin — and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” Moses was willing to forfeit his life for his people, even though they were guilty of wicked rebellion!

While being stoned to death, Stephen followed the Lord’s example by praying for the salvation of his executioners: “And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ And having said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60).

Standing among those who killed Stephen was a young man named Saul of Tarsus. His salvation was an answer to Stephen’s prayer.

Years later, the apostle Paul communicated the depth of his concern for his people Israel, and in Romans 9 he sounds very much like Moses:

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, […]Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. (Romans 9:1-3; 10:1)

His brethren according to the flesh, fellow Jews, were the very ones who persecuted him so severely, disrupting his work, stirring up mobs, even plotting his assassination. And yet he loved them and prayed that God would show them mercy.

God honored those men’s prayers for the souls of the lost; He’ll honor yours too. Whether friend or foe; whether moral or immoral; whether you know them or not — pray for the lost. For those God brings your way, open your mouth in love and compassion to tell them the truth. Warn them of God’s judgment for their personal offenses against his holiness, but then tell them the good news. There is salvation in Jesus Christ from God’s eternal wrath, if they will only repent and believe. Once you’ve told them the truth, keep praying for them and trust God for the results. You will rejoice as you see God use you as He saves people from their sins and grants them new life in His Son.

Prayers From Children

Check out this video showing the prayers of children http://youtube.com/watch?v=hIVyM361FPM

PSALM 23 EXPLAINED

This is an eye opener... Some probably never thought nor looked at this Psalm in this way... even though they say it over and over again.

The Lord is my Shepherd. That's Relationship!

I shall not want. That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters. That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul. That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness. That's Guidance!

For His name sake. That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. That's Testing!

I will fear no evil. That's Protection!

For Thou art with me. That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies. That's Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil. That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over. That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. That's Security!

Forever. That's Eternity!

Face it, the Lord and I think you are special. Send this to the people you think are special.I thought this was pretty special, just like YOU!!! What is most valuable, is not what we have in our lives; but WHO we have in our lives .

Gutsy Grandma and Compassionate Evangelism

Check out this video. A 92 year old woman is approached by a guy planning on robbing her in the parking lot of the Wal-mart store. Watch the video and hear how his life was changed!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fDmp967UMds

Zoe Sings the Lord's Prayer

We have added back to the blog Zoe singing the Lord's Prayer. Originally the video was on the blog but it mysteriously disappeared. Click on the little girl on the right side of the blog and plan on having your heart touched by this little girl.

Praying for the President

If you struggle like a lot of people in praying for our leaders, here is a great web site that gives you information on how to pray for the President and other leaders. Click on the link below and check out this web site. http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org

A Man Fell In A Hole

This video is a modern parable on prayer. Click on the link to watch it. http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9dc6f227f9133ba2dfd3

Prayer for a Friend

Here is an inspirational song about praying for our friends. Click on the link below and let this song encourage you to keep bringing our friends and neighbors before the Lord in prayer.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=7d44d3579a75ece20559

I Pray

An encouraging video about the story of a Bible translator in training, and her experience with the Bibleless Peoples Prayer Project. http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=927d21cfef53e66058bd

Little Girl Recites Psalm 23

Click on the little girl on the right side of the blog and hear her recite Psalm 23.

The H*A*B*I*T of Prayer

H -- Honor God. Begin with a simple sentence or two of praise and adortation to God for His glory. Thank him for saving you through the cross of Jesus Christ, and giving you the amazing privilege of entering his throne room to pray.

A -- Ask specifically. Bring the person's need to the throne of grace. It is critical that you listen carefully to what the person has said, so that you can pray for them specifically rather than generally. It is disappointing to pour your heart out to someone, then have them pray as if they didn't hear a single word you said.

B -- Bless. Ask God to bless them in ways other than just the specific item prayed earlier. If the person is not a Christian, pray for their spiritual life and awakening to God's grace through Jesus Christ. If you know them well and other aspects of their life, ask God's blessing. "Lord, I ask your blessing on Ted's wife and children as well. Give him wisdom in his business...etc." If you do not know them, simply ask God to pour his blessing into every aspect of life, especially their spiritual life in Jesus Christ.

I -- In Jesus' name. We come to God in prayer only because of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us, and opened the way for us into the Holy of holies.

T -- Touch as appropriate. If it is appropriate, take the person's hand when you pray for them, or put a hand on their shoulder, whatever seems appropriate to the situation. Take care with this. We should be neither inappropriately "touchy feely" nor cold and "hands off" as if we might catch something. More could be said on each of these. But that can be at another time. My point today is to ask you, "Do you seize on the opportunities God gives you to pray for those in need who surround you every day?" If you don't, you are missing out on a golden opportunity to communicate with God and communicate to others the love of God.

Praying for Your Pastor

The New Year is just around the corner; for many us, that involves fresh resolve to grow in godliness and in the spiritual disciplines. Here is one resolution I would encourage you to consider making: regular prayer and encouragement for your pastor. I read today the conclusion of Kent and Barbara Hughes's book, Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome, and thought it would be worth reprinting here:

Every pastor knows that the strength of the ministry rests on prayer, and that it is those faithful souls who pray regularly for him and the church who bring God's special blessing upon the ministry. This fact invites a marvelous "what if" scenario. What if not just a few but the entire leadership and congregation prayed in detail every day for the pastor and their church? What would happen to his heart, to his preaching, to worship, to evangelism, to missions? Can there be any doubt that the minister and his people would know greater enablement than ever before in their lives? Prayer is where the congregation must begin in this whole matter of encouragement.

Will you make a personal commitment to encourage your pastor by daily prayer for him and his work? If so, we leave you with this suggestive outline, from which you can draw your own prayer list. Pray that he will be a true success: that he will be faithful, true to God's Word and hardworking; that he will be a servant, following the example of our foot-washing Lord; that he will love God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength; that he will truly believe what he believes about Christ; that he will lead a holy life, and not succumb to the sensuality of our culture; that he will lead a life of deep prayer, following Jesus' example; that he will have a positive attitude free from jealousy.

Pray for his ministry--for his preaching, for time to prepare, for understanding the Word, for application, for the power of the Holy Spirit in delivery, for Sunday's services, for his leadership, for immediate problems he is facing.Pray for his marriage--for time for each other, for communication, for a deepening love, for fidelity. Pray for his children by name. Perhaps you might ask the pastor or his wife how they would like you to pray for their children.

Consider printing this out, placing it in your Bible, and putting this prayer into practice.