NORTH POINT CHURCH BLOG
NORTH POINT CHURCH BLOG
PRAYING FOR THOSE WHO NEED GOD (Your One)
God desires for everyone to know Him. As followers of Christ, we are called to partner with Him in praying for those who don’t know Him to come to know Him and accept the free gift of salvation.
01. ASK THE FATHER TO DRAW THEM TO JESUS
God draws people to Himself. We cannot make this happen through our own efforts, so we need to be faithful in praying that the Father will draw those He’s placed on our hearts to Jesus.
“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” (John 6:44, NLT)
PRAYER:
Father, I pray for the people around me (list specific names), that You would supernaturally draw their hearts to You. Send Your Holy Spirit to them, and give them the desire to give their lives to You. Help them to recognize their longing for more in life as a spiritual thirst only You can quench. Open their ears to hear Your voice.
02. BIND THE SPIRIT THAT BLINDS THEIR MINDS
Some people can see the truth right in front of them, but they still can’t because something is blocking their view of God. We can pray against whatever is blocking their view so that they can see God's light.
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4, NLT)
PRAYER:
Father, bind the evil spirits that are blinding the minds of the people around me. In the name of Jesus, I pray that they would be able to see clearly, to recognize who You are, and to give their hearts to You. Remove all hindrances the enemy would use to distract them from Your truth. Open their eyes, Lord, that they might see Jesus.
03. PRAY THAT THEY MAY HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
God came so that everyone could have a relationship with Him. God wants His sons and daughters to come home to Him. Praying for people to have personal encounters with God makes all the difference.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15, NLT)
PRAYER:
Father, I pray that people will understand how much You love them. Lose the Spirit of Adoption for the people around me so that they come into a meaningful relationship with You. Stir in their hearts a longing to come home, to hear Your voice, and to see You welcoming them with open arms. Let them know You are always running to meet them and hold them close.
04. PRAY FOR BELIEVERS TO CROSS THEIR PATHS
This step is twofold. We can pray for other Christians to influence the people around them positively, and we can also look for opportunities to influence others positively ourselves. God’s plan to reach people is worked out through those who already know and love Him.
“So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:38, NLT)
PRAYER:
Father, I pray for the lost around me to meet believers who will influence them in a positive way. Lord, let my life shine in such a way that people want to know the God I serve. Allow others to see my genuine love and concern for them in all that I say and do. Let me be Your hands and feet to serve them and let them know just how much You love them.
05. RELEASE THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION ON THEM, SO THEY MAY KNOW GOD BETTER
People need to see their own sin, what Jesus did on the cross, and the hope that comes from giving their lives to God. We can pray for this kind of spiritual revelation, which only comes from God.
“Keep asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. (Ephesians 1:17, NLT)
PRAYER:
Father, I pray for the people around me to experience the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation. I pray that they will truly understand their spiritual condition and see what Jesus did for them on the cross. Help them to have the information and experiences needed to come to You, so they can understand all You have for them.
Used with permission from the Church of the Highlands.