Praying for Unbelievers

The biblical command to pray for the unsaved: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people... This is good, and pleases God our Saviour" (1 Tim 2:1, 3).

Praying for the well-being, protection, and salvation of others is seen as an act of love that aligns with God's desire for all people to come to a knowledge of the truth. This even includes "praying for [not against] our enemies and those who abuse you" (Mt 5:43; Lk 6:28).

"Pray for them — pray for what they need" which most of all is faith in Christ and eternal life. Paul wrote, "My heart's desire and prayer to God is that they may be saved" (Rom 10:1).

Why We Pray for the Unsaved

While we can ask God for their healing, protection and blessing, there is nothing more important for our unsaved loved ones than that they seek God and find Him. We must pray that God would use any circumstance to do His work in them. We pray to a God who is sovereign and who sovereignly works His good will.

Often He saves people through difficult circumstances, through bringing them to the very end of themselves and so turning stubborn hearts toward repentance. Pray, then, that God would arrange circumstances, whether easy or difficult, to lead them to salvation.

In His grace and mercy, God can intervene in the lives of unbelievers in response to their prayers, or those of their saved friends.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus healed and released unbelievers from Satan's snare when He went about doing good (Acts 10:38). Always with the goal they would give credit to God.

The mercy and grace of God is intended to lead to salvation (Rom 2:4; Tit 2:11).