Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Mar. 10, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR LOST LOVED ONES

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Romans 10:1-4

Text: Romans 10:3

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Introduction: Although Romans chapters 9-11 do deal with the nation of Israel, Paul wasn’t talking about the physical salvation of an entire nation. He was talking about the SPIRITUAL salvation of individual Israelites, his brethren according to the flesh.

Paul was burdened over his kinsmen, and he consistently used every opportunity available to give the gospel to them. He often placed his life in danger to try to get them saved. Although he didn’t win everyone of them, I’m sure, he did win some. Paul may have been the greatest personal soul-winner of all time. I believe that one of the reasons he was such a good soul-winner was that he was such a good prayer warrior. He prayed for people to be saved. He wept as he witnessed.

I want to give some guidelines from the word of God to help us to be better soul-winners by praying better.

I. PRAY WITH FOCUS FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES

James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Those prayers are “out of focus.”

A. Pray without selfishness

B. Pray without sloppiness

Don’t daydream
Don’t pray in general; pray in SPECIFIC!

II. PRAY WITH FAITH FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES

James 1:6-7 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

A. Trust God’s affection

B. Trust God’s awareness

C. Trust God’s ability

To reprove by the Spirit
To reveal the Savior

III. PRAY WITH FERVENCY FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

James 5:16 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.

A. Watch and wait in prayer

B. Work in prayer

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

IV. PRAY WITH FAITHFULNESS FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

How can this be done?

A. Prepare a list for prayer

B. Practice a habit of prayer

A time
A place

V. PRAY WITH FRIENDS FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES

2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

A. Agree as to purpose

B. Ask perpetually

“Round-robin” praying

VI. PRAY WITH YOUR FEET FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES

Ephesians 6:18-19 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

A. Groan on your knees in prayer

B. Go on your feet in person!

VII. PRAY WITH FRUITFULNESS FOR OUR LOST LOVED ONES

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

A. Fruitbearing accomplishes God’s purpose

B. Fruitbearing acquires God’s promise

“… that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”