PRAYING FOR THE LOST
If Washington D.C. is to be reached with the Gospel, it will not happen apart from prayer. Every Christian ought to have a regular habit of praying for the lost to be saved. We should pray for specific individuals such as family members and friends to come to Christ. We can also pray for specific ethnic groups like Paul did in Romans 10:1, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
Would you be willing to pray regularly for the lost souls in Washington D.C.? If so, here are some pointers to aid you in your praying:
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
1) Claim God’s promise. The Lord does not want anyone to die and go to hell. He wants them to come to Christ. When you pray for someone to be saved, you are praying according to God’s will.
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44
2) Ask God to have His Spirit draw the person to Himself. Man can make a clear presentation of the Gospel, but the Lord must work in the heart of the individual.
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8
3) Ask God to bring conviction of sin on the person. A person will never come to Christ if he is never convicted of his sin. Many Christians have spoken of an intense conviction of sin preceding their salvation. The Holy Spirit is able to convict hard hearts of sin.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
4) Pray that people will clearly understand who Jesus is. For people with little religious background, Jesus is unknown to them. For people who come from religious backgrounds, they may have a false or mistaken concept of who Jesus is.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. “ Matthew 5:16
5) Ask the Lord to help you be a testimony before that person. If you are saved and earnestly following the Lord, you can be light. When people see the Gospel in action in your life, it can create a curiosity and point them to the truth.
Let this concluding passage encourage you to pray for the souls in Washington D.C. and even your community or town.
1 Timothy 2:1–4
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
This list was adapted from a list that was originally given by Dr. Dennis Clements.