Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, August 18, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE PRAYERS OF THE LOST IN HELL

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

Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31

Text: Luke 16:27

Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

Introduction: If believers have any shortcoming at all in our lives, it is that we don’t pray enough. However, I am glad for those who do pray. I’m glad that there are people praying for us today.

Do people pray in heaven? Well, in the sense that the word means to talk to God, I believe that they do. I believe people in heaven talk with the Lord.

However, have you ever thought about whether or not people pray in hell? Well, in the sense that praying means to ASK, as well as to talk, I think they do. Notice the use of the word, “pray,” in our text. I want us to examine this passage once again, as we try to learn something about the prayers of the lost in hell that might stir the saved on earth to pray.

I. CONSIDER, FIRST, THE FACT OF THEIR PRAYERS

Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

“… I PRAY thee …”

A. Lost people pray in their temples of worship

B. Lost people pray in their trouble

C. Lost people pray in their terror

II. THE FORM OF THEIR PRAYERS

Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

A. They pray for mercy

B. They pray for messengers

Soul-winners to win their family and friends

C. They pray for miracles

He wanted God to raise Lazarus from the dead to convince his lost family members

III. THE FERVENCY OF THEIR PRAYERS

Fervency refers to passionate, earnestness in praying.

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. Their prayers are simple

B. Their prayers are specific

C. Their prayers are steady

D. Their prayers are strong

IV. THE FUTILITY OF THEIR PRAYERS

God doesn’t promise to answer all prayers, no matter how earnest they are:

Ezekiel 8:18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.

Micah 3:4 Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

A. The period in which they pray is wrong — too late!

B. The person to whom they pray cannot help

Abraham was powerless to answer the rich man’s prayer
God was unwilling to answer the rich man’s prayer

C. The petitions they make are not in keeping with God’s word

Luke 16:28-31 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded,though one rose from the dead.
Praying solely for preservation of loved ones, not for the glory of God.