Prayer requests

 

Do you have someone for whom you pray each day?

Are you praying for their physical or mental health, or for their job, or for their salvation?

Does the devil whisper to you sometimes, "Why are you still praying for that person? Aren't you tired of trying? Don't you want to give up?"

Been there.

It's ok.

Christians are called to be in prayer and to be praying specifically for other believers, for our leaders, and even for our enemies.

 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— (I Timothy 2:1)

For all people.

Friends. Enemies. Believers. Non-believers.

The Word tells us that Jesus came to save the lost (Luke 19:10) and also tells us that we are tasked with making disciples. It's God's desire that all people be saved:

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

Oh, we can't do it all. But we can pray!

First, we can pray for workers to enter the harvest fields; we can pray for people who preach and teach the gospel so that many can be saved.

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Luke 10:2)

And we can pray that hearts will be open to the Spirit's guidance, and be changed.

 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. (John 16:13a)

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.  (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

This is the change we pray for. Praying for people to come to know our Savior is praying in accordance with what God the Father desires for them. One of the most caring things we can do for someone is to pray for them.....to intercede for them at the throne of God. 

Keep praying, dear warrior. Keep lifting that person up in your quiet time. God hears. He wants that person to be saved. If you are praying for their health, keep praying. For whatever situation they face, keep praying.

Don't give up.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up......(Luke 18:1)

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2)