Effective prayer for the lost impacts God, people and Satan. You are praying to God for the benefit of a person and in opposition to everything Satan and his legions are doing to prevent that person from coming to salvation.
PRAY IN FAITH FOR THE SALVATION OF THOSE YOU LOVE!
1. Affirm that God can do the impossible. Mark 10:27; Jeremiah 32:27.
2. Recognize that Satan has captivated lost people. Pray for their release from the world, the flesh and the devil. Persist in prayer not because of God’s reluctance to save, but because of the resistance of the enemy. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; 1 John 2:15-17.
3. Thank God that He desires all to be saved. John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4.
4. Thank God for the authority of the name of Jesus by which salvation has been purchased. Acts 4:12; John 14:6.
5. Thank God for His power for salvation. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Romans 1:16.
6. Thank God for His gift of salvation. Ephesians 3:8-9; Romans 5:8, 15.
7. Thank God that He seeks the lost ones and draws them to Himself. Luke 19:10; John 6:44.
8. Claim the person by name for the victory of salvation by the blood of Jesus. Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 3:8.
9. Pray that the lost one will seek to know God as the Holy Spirit works in them. Acts 17:27; Deuteronomy 4:29; John 16:8-13.
10. Pray that the lost one will confess Christ as Savior and Lord and turn from sin. John 1:12; Acts 17:30-31; Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9-10, 13.
11. Pray that the lost one will yield all to follow Jesus and grow in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:15; Philippians 3:7-8; Colossians 2:6-7.
12. Praise God! His Word does not return to Him without accomplishing His purposes. Romans 10:17; Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:11.
Deacons’ meetings are prayer meetings
At First Baptist Church in Crofton, Md., the monthly deacons’ meetings are prayer meetings, shared Bob Parsley, senior pastor. In these meetings, deacons pray for the lost as a priority, and then pray for needs among their congregation. They also coordinate a prayer email blast that goes out to members so they can join in the prayer. In addition, Parsley relies on “good, old-fashioned, honest-to-goodness” altar calls at the end of each service, where churchgoers can receive prayer, and his office is seen as a “prayer place” where people feel free to come and pray.