What do you do when you have a desire to see a wayward child or struggling friend come to know the saving power of Jesus?  A very important way we can help others come out of the dark and lonely places and into the light of Christ where they can experience His peace and joy is by praying for them and not giving up hope.

It is important to remind ourselves of the truth found in God’s Word that our loved one who is spiritually lost can, indeed, encounter the saving power of Jesus, regardless of how difficult or overwhelming it may appear to be at the present time. Jesus loves them even more than we can think or imagine. While things might be overwhelming to us, it is not too much for the Lord as it states in Isaiah 59; Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.

Throughout Scripture, we see that the prophet’s prayers were longsuffering and steadfast giving God no rest (Isaiah 62:7). In Galatians 6:9, the Apostle Paul encourages us to not grow weary while doing good for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart. I don’t think Paul would have told us not to lose heart if he did not realize that we would sometimes feel like it. Intercession can last for such an extended period of time that we can be tempted to just give up praying and give into despair, but it is essential to stay the course and continue to pray for others.

St. Augustine’s mother, St. Monica, was known for her travailing prayers for her son.  While her son was deep in sin and living a life far from God, she interceded for 17 years. After pleading with her son for years and experiencing no change, she made the decision that she would talk to God more about Augustine, than to talk to Augustine about God.  After his conversion, Augustine described himself as a son of his mother’s tears, as he shared his mother’s persistent and tearful prayers knowing they had a great impact on his life.

As we pray for our loved ones, acknowledge that only God can save and ask the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in their lives to draw them to Jesus. We can pray for them to have spiritual revelation and encounter the love of God in Christ Jesus. Pray Jesus would touch them deeper than sin or pain has ever touched them. Pray that the Holy Spirit would break though the deception and lead them into truth. We can also pray for an opportunity to share the gospel with them in humility. Let us not grow weary but be steadfast in prayer for others.

“I pray, Lord Jesus, send your light and love into their darkness and reveal that You are the way, the truth and the light.”