PRAYING FOR THE SALVATION OF OTHERS

 

Romans 10:1-4  Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (NIV)

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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Heart-felt prayer is more important than most of us realise. It stems from a deep desire and hunger that God will act in Sovereign power. Most of the Apostles' prayers in the Bible asked God to bring strength, wisdom and spiritual insight to believers - to whole churches, leaders or individuals. But here, Paul expressed His deep inner passion that the Jews might be saved through receiving and believing the gospel of Christ.

Although Paul was glad that they are seeking God, he was sad that they were not finding Him because they did not go through Jesus. Although all of the Old Testament pointed forward to Jesus Christ as the One who would fully satisfy God's law, most of the Jews could not see it (any more than Paul could before Jesus faced him on the road to Damascus). The Apostle knew that only Jesus could open spiritually blind eyes, as his had been. He knew his responsibility: to preach about the crucified Saviour, and teach believers how to live as children of God. But Paul also knew that only the Lord could enable them to believe and obey what they heard. That is why he prayed so fervently.

Believers who love their unsaved friends and family (even a tribe or nation), and love their Saviour - will open their hearts to God in prayer. Like Paul, their prayer will not just be for their problems to be resolved, but that they might believe the gospel, receive the Holy Spirit and learn to live as children of God. Such prayer may go on for many months or years, but the Lord knows the right time to act. Our tasks are to share the truth about Jesus and to pray that He will save them: and of those activities the work of prayer can be the most demanding, but essential. Do not just hide sadness in your heart, but pray for those who need the Lord, and keep on praying until He gives His answer.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father. Thank You that You are able to open spiritually blind eyes. Forgive me for my indifference to the eternal danger to my unsaved friends and family; or my weariness of praying when there appears to be no answer. Please give me a renewed desire that Jesus Christ might be welcomed as Saviour and Lord in the hearts of those I know. Help me to be persistent in prayer and faithful in speaking the truth about Jesus. In His Name. Amen.