Praying for the Lost

We expect our church to pray for the lost. Our church believes that our mission is to make disciples, and we think the most powerful thing we can do is to start by praying for the lost. We frequently offer suggestions for what it means to pray for the lost. Maybe these ideas will be useful to you and your people.

We pray generically for the lost. For the lost in our city. For the lost moving into our area. We ask God to send us lost people. We ask for eyes to recognize them when God sends them, as well as the courage to speak to them.

But we also always teach our people to pray for the lost that they know in their world: family, friends, co-workers, classmates. Pray for them by name. Ask God to work in their lives to draw them to Him. Pray for opportunities to say a word about Jesus. Pray for wisdom to see the opportunities. Ask God for the words to say. What invitation to extend. What story to tell. What verse to share. And ask God for the courage to speak. 

We ask God to protect us from the lies of Satan. Lies that certain people will never be receptive. Lies that no one will listen. The lie that if we speak, we risk driving them away from Jesus. Or if we say something, we will lose a relationship and will never be able to share Jesus. 

We ask God to let us see excuses for what they are: obstacles that prevent us from reaching lost people. Too tired. Not spiritual enough. Don’t know enough. Don’t have that gift. Ask God to help you ignore the excuses Satan wants you to use.

When we pray, we believe God will answer. So be careful with these prayers. If you pray them, God will answer. He will send you people, and you will share Jesus. God will give the increase. More than you can ask or imagine.

Pray for the lost.