Praying for Someone You Love Who Doesn't Know Jesus

Good morning. This is Morning Prayer from Bearing Fruit.

God wants the person on your heart, the one who doesn't know Jesus yet, to be saved even more than you do. If you've prayed for them for years, it can feel as if nothing's changed. A short passage from Paul shows us God's own heart for them. Let's bring this to God together.

In his first letter to Timothy, chapter two, verses three to six, Paul writes this.

This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

1 Timothy 2:3-6

Paul wrote this to Timothy, who was leading the church in Ephesus. Just before these lines, Paul asks the church to pray for everyone, even for kings and those in authority. And the reason he gives is God Himself. He's God our Savior, and He wants everyone to be saved.

Everyone includes the person you're thinking of. A son who stopped coming to church at nineteen and now laughs it off. A husband, still asleep upstairs while his wife prays. The friend at work who asks good questions and then changes the subject. Someone else is praying for a father in his eighties, and the time feels short.

You aren't asking God to start caring about them. He already does. When you pray for them, you're joining a desire that was His first. Peter says the same, and adds a word about God's patience.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Paul also says there's one mediator, the man Christ Jesus. You don't have to stand between the person you love and God, holding it all together. Jesus already stands there. He gave Himself as a ransom. He died for our sins and rose again, and He's the only way to the Father, for them just as for you.

That takes a weight off. Their salvation was never yours to produce. You can't argue them into the kingdom, or guilt them in, or find the right words in the right order to make it happen. Paul knew this from his own work in Corinth.

I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6

Scripture doesn't promise that everyone we pray for will come to faith, or that it'll happen when we hope. Paul felt that ache himself. Here's how he prayed for his own people.

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.

Romans 10:1

He kept praying, and he didn't pretend it was easy. So we keep praying too, and we live in a way that makes the good news easier to hear. Paul told the church in Colossae how to treat people outside the faith.

Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5-6

That's the work we're given. And there's grace in it for you as well. God didn't wait for you to get your life in order before He came looking for you. The grace that found you is the grace you're praying they'll find. He won't stop loving you on the mornings you can hardly pray.

Let's pray. You can pray these words with me, out loud or in your heart.

Father, I come to You through Jesus. He gave Himself as a ransom for me, and He died for my sins. You raised Him from the dead, and He's the one mediator between You and me. Your Spirit draws me near, and I can bring someone I love with me.

Your word calls You God our Savior, “who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” You found me before I was looking for You. You're far more patient than I am. You know every person by name, and You knew the one I love before I did. Thank You that they're already seen by You.

Father, I'm tired of praying the same prayer. Some mornings I doubt it'll change anything. I've worried more than I've prayed. I've pushed when I should have listened, and gone quiet when I could have spoken gently. I've made my faith sound like a list of rules, when it's good news. Some days I've treated them more like a project than a person. Forgive me. Your love for them doesn't hang on how well I do this, and neither does Your love for me.

I bring them to You again, Father. You know who I mean. Open their eyes to see Jesus as He really is. Soften whatever's grown hard in them, whether it's hurt or pride or plain busyness. Bring people into their life who'll show them Your kindness. If old wounds from church are in the way, heal them. You tell us, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt”. Make that true of me when we talk. Give me patience when they push back, and courage when a door opens. Keep me from trying to win the argument. Help me love them the same, whatever they decide.

Your word says You're patient, “not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” So I'm leaving them with You. I can plant, and I can water, but only You can make anything grow. I don't know how their story will go. I don't know if I'll see the end of it. I trust You with it, because You're good, and You love them better than I ever could.

I pray for others carrying the same weight this morning. For parents whose child has walked away from the faith they grew up with, and who still save them a seat at the table. For brothers and sisters praying for a sibling who wants nothing to do with church. For grandparents praying for grandchildren they rarely see. Keep them from losing heart. And for the people I'll cross paths with today who don't know You yet, let them meet a little of Your kindness in me.

Father, here's today. If I see them or hear from them, help me simply be glad, with no agenda. Let me listen more than I talk. If they ask about my faith, give me an honest, gentle answer. If they don't, let me love them anyway, and keep praying quietly. When I start to lose hope, remind me that Jesus is still the one mediator, for them and for me, and that You hear me. And tonight, when I think of them again, let me hand them back to You.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Take a moment of quiet now, and bring Him whatever's in front of you today.

Hear this blessing from Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:5