Matthew 17:20: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
If one considers how small a mustard seed is, it is amazing to think how small our faith really must be. I have thought of this verse recently in praying for the salvation of several people. I found myself doubting if those people will ever get saved. Then, the Lord prompted me with the verse I shared.
Lord Jesus, please give me more faith.Â
Mark 10:27 says: “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
May we take heart, ever more earnestly praying for the salvation of others.
May our hearts break for those who are on their way to an eternity in hell.
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)
Love,
Sarah
Thank you, Sarah! In Sweet Journey, been studying the chapters on prayer.
Last night, our church had a prayer meeting. We’ve received some sad reports about people we know lately and especially last night, thinking about it, I’ve felt depressed. It’s so hard to watch people you care about go through certain trials, but especially self-inflicted!
You’re right about praying for the unsaved. It’s so true that sometimes it seems as if they’ll never see the truth!
Thanks for the reminder. God bless! Rebecca K.
Ah, dear friend. My momma tells me the same thing where a certain someone is concerned…that the faith of a mustard seed is not much, and it is placed in our Lord, not others. She has maintained prayer for him over the past 10+ years, but I will confess to you as I have to her that I have not been as good about it. I pray for his effect on our children and their spirits, but I can admit that I have not prayed for him personally in a very long time. I think your father (as my own dad did) would tell me that since I have confessed it, I should probably set about to correct it, and he is right. James 5:16 states it clearly, but it is hard when we are called to be patient and realize that it is in His time…not ours.
I will keep you in prayer for those times of doubt.
In Christ,
Lori
Sarah,
I also have some that I have been praying specifically for their salvation, and have had the same doubting thoughts you described. Thank you for your encouraging post!
Heather C
Sarah,
Thanks for the reminder to pray for my family members who desperately need our Savior.
God bless you and your family.
Thank you Sarah, for reminding me to keep praying, expecting the Lord to do great things. I’ve been a believer for 24 years now, and have been praying for my family’s salvation(parents, and brothers) but see absolutely no fruit or interest or softening. Perhaps, in the last few years, I’ve been praying more out of duty and desperation with doubt, and less in faith in our God Who is mighty to save, and can do the impossible. Thank you for reminding me that it is not just a duty (though I shudder to think of their Christ-less eternity) but a delight to humble myself under my great and sovereign Lord, and bask in His presence, and throw myself on His mercy, with the faith that He can and will, if it is His will to make these dead come alive. Not my will, but His alone.
With gratitude,
Mrs. H.
Thank you for this! Our family has been praying for the salvation of several of our friends/family members. Sometimes I wonder the same thing—will it ever happen?? I really needed this today!! Thank you!
What I find so comforting when I am praying for others to be saved, I remember that names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life at the foundation of the earth. Revelation 13:8, 17:8. Also, Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” John 6:37
The preaching of the gospel is what God uses to bring them to salvation. Our job is to preach the gospel. Paul’s confidence in election is what motivated him to preach the gospel. He tells us in 2 Timothy 2:10 “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
It is a comfort to know that God is sovereign in Salvation! He will not lose one of His sheep!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Cindy
Thank you for this post, Sarah. Those verses you included are some of my favorites. This is a good reminder for us to stay faithful and keep praying—especially for lost souls.
Blessings, Patti M.
A timely reminder, Sarah, to keep praying for many people and situations in all of our lives. Also, to keep in mind that it’s not the largeness of our faith, but the largeness of our God that matters. Thank you!
“May our hearts break for those who are on their way to an eternity in hell.”
What an excellent post. The thought of people for an eternity in hell is heartbreaking, it literally grives my heart, no matter how we view them (or more specifically the things they do right now). It doesn’t even matter if it is someone we know or not. They were formed by God, He loves them, and He deserves an eternity of their praise.
We were just having a similar discussion putting together evangelism material (in our case driveway droppers with tracts). We don’t know all the details that goes on in a home that we drop the information off at, but yet we pray because God knows the details, the needs, etc. We walk away believing even though statistics are low, that we are planting a seed or that we are watering a seed that was already planted, . . . but more so knowing that God’s word is what will change a heart ( Hebrews 4:12-13). Our job is to get it (God’s word) to the lost in some form or format. . . written or verbal conversation.
We were just talking about sometimes that type of evangelism is easier than that with family members or people we know (because we know much about them.) We tend to gauge what we see. I think we do that sometimes naturally because that is how we gauge so many things in this life. You are right it requires faith (which takes us away from natural measurements that limit our belief that those salvations will happen.)
As brothers and sisters in the church it is important to encourage each other and remind one another that we have to keep praying, keep believing, keep sharing the truth in every opportunity, and with every person we cross paths with, it is just too important to miss an opportunity. (Obviously we will, because we are human but our goal should be not to.) There are no accidental meetings in our lives, it is an ordained moment. We just have to figure out if it is to minister, be ministered to or a little bit of both!
Thank you Sarah for this post. It is a wonderful reminder and encouragement all in one!
If a person accepted Jesus when they were a teenager and then backslid until adult hood, it is my understanding that once saved always saved so I don’t need to be praying for their salvation?
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The question is whether they were truly saved. Many have made a profession of faith or attend a church but would seem to have no real evidence of being regenerated. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23). Notice Jesus said “I never knew you.” That person was religious, had works, but no personal relationship with Jesus. This passage along with James 2:19-20 are important. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead” (James 2:19-20)? Scripture is clear that there will be evidence in a person’s life if they are saved. That isn’t judging anyone, to condemn them is to judge them, but to pray for them is a loving thing to do for them.
We do believe Scripture teaches once saved always saved. John 10:28-30, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:28-30). When in doubt, pray for the person.
Hope that helps.
Steve
Only God can see into a person’s heart. Only He knows who are on their way to spending eternity in hell. Should we pray for those who seem to be hell bound? Of course. But we need to keep in mind we too are sinners and we might be among those on the same path, all the while thinking we aren’t.
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The answer to Johnna’s comment will help you too. Certainly, all are sinners before God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Yet, we are told there is salvation available to us. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). We are told that we can receive it and those who do will confess Jesus with their mouths.
1 John 5:13 makes it very clear that we can know we have eternal life. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” For those who have clearly made a profession of faith, as Sarah and our family, each individually have made, this verse says that we can KNOW, we have eternal life. Not hope, or wonder, but know. That assurance is not on anyone’s “goodness” but Jesus and Jesus alone!! Many cling to a religion as their savior, but no religion died on the cross for their sins. The person trusting in their religion will stand condemned. It is Jesus and only Jesus that saves! “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). If we add anything to Jesus, it isn’t salvation.
Elizabeth, I hope that helps clarify your misunderstanding. There is such peace available.
Steve
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.†Charles H. Spurgeon
Thank you for this post, Sarah. I saw the quote above today, and thought of this post, so came back to share. I was saved as a child of six years old, but from 12 to 19 was completely away from the Lord. I am thankful for the prayers for my salvation, as well as my restoration. Each person’s story is unique, but each believer will agree that we have an awesome and amazing God!!
Love in Him,
Steph
Thank you Sara for your gentle reminder and Steve, for your additional comments!
Yes with God all things are possible. Never ever give up hope. I think we will be surprised how many people are in Heaven. God is always calling us back to Himself and will never give up till the end. There are ways unseen to us for people to repent at the last moment!