By David Ettinger
In my 35 years as a believer in the Lord Jesus, I’ve never been much a person of prayer. I mean, I pray, but it’s not my strong suit. I’m a much better Bible teacher. This is why I never put my prayers in writing as others do – I just can’t do it as well as they can!
However, every now and then I’ll have something on my heart which I need to express, and this is one of those times. It just so happens that what I want to express is a prayer. It’s based on the account of Paul coming to faith in Christ. Acts 9:18 reads: “Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.”
With this in mind …
“Dear Lord, I pray that over the next year many of my unsaved loved ones will experience what Paul did – come to know the glorious Savior, Jesus Christ! And not just my loved ones, Lord. I know so many Christians – some reading this blog – who are experiencing the sadness of loved ones who do not know You.
“Lord, many of us have shared the Gospel with our unsaved loved ones, but they have rejected it, and keep on doing so. Some, as in my case, will no longer allow me to discuss the matter with them. For others, unbelievers will permit them to share their faith, but ‘Only if it makes them feel better.’
“I pray, Lord, for all of us who share in these rejections. First, keep our spirits high and hopes alive. Second, give us the fortitude to forge on in prayer for these lost loved ones – some for whom we’ve been praying for decades! And third, Lord, help us to eradicate all bitter roots which may arise, and never allow our joy in You to diminish.
“But most importantly, Lord, please do with our lost loved ones what You did with Paul so long ago: Remove the scales of spiritual blindness from their eyes that they may see that Jesus Christ is indeed their Lord and Savior!
“We commit these dear ones to You, Lord God, in Jesus’ precious Name.”
Blue Collar Theologian
November 10, 2021
Amen and Amen! God loves our prayers!
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dettinger47
November 10, 2021
Thank you, Mandy.
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ken riddles
November 10, 2021
You can hear the amens echoing…
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dettinger47
November 10, 2021
Thank you, Ken. It’s one of the “pains” of being a Christian.
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seekingdivineperspective
November 10, 2021
Thanks so much for praying this, David. I think in one way or another we (believers) all need the encouragement of knowing we’re not alone in our frustrations. But more than that, we need to know God has not given up on our loved ones, and neither should we. We should “not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
When I reflect on (and share) the answers to the “little” prayers that I experience, it encourages me not to give up on the ones I pray day after day, year after year. Someday I’ll be able to testify to the answers to those, too. 🙂
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dettinger47
November 10, 2021
Perfectly said. I agree 100 percent. And great use of Galatians 6:9. The bottom line is, so long as we have breath in us, we must continue to pray for those who need salvation!
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Bruce Cooper
November 10, 2021
Well David, you touched my heart on this one. Daily I knock on God’s door, asking that the hearts and minds of those that I love who have chosen to disregard the grace of God held out to them, might see who Jesus really is and call upon His name and be saved. And I am mindful of the sorrow you bear and how long you also have been knocking. I know that with God, all things are possible, so I keep knocking. You are not alone. I’m thinking that when we lift one another up in prayer, that we include each other’s lost ones, each of us pray for, in our prayers (God knows who they are). We know that God hears and knows our pleas and hearts. Thank you for sharing this. I join you with a heartfelt Amen. Blessings.
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dettinger47
November 10, 2021
Thank you, Bruce. “I know that with God, all things are possible, so I keep knocking.” This is the bottom line, as you have so well reminded us.
Daily I lift both your and Tom’s unsaved children, along, of course, with my own. May God open their eyes soon!
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Bruce Cooper
November 10, 2021
Amen David.
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Zama-Zoe Grace
November 10, 2021
Amen, that was sincere and pure. Many blessings to you.
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dettinger47
November 10, 2021
Thank you. Many blessings to you as well!
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Tom
November 10, 2021
Thanks, David! Lord help us to pray more for unsaved loved ones instead of whiling away the hours on less worthy activities.
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dettinger47
November 10, 2021
Amen indeed, Tom. Thank you.
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Andy Oldham
November 10, 2021
So many of us forget the family and their need to see Jesus. And yet we say we love them. This is a wonderful prayer. What would happen we prayed this for our loved ones as you did? God answers the prayers of his children. What if there are two or three family members that prayed togehter? He is in the midst of them! Love this post David! God bless you my brother!
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dettinger47
November 11, 2021
Great thoughts, Andy. Thank you for your insights.
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bigskybuckeye
November 12, 2021
Amen! Many believers join you in this prayer with patient frequency. David, may the Lord’s grace and peace continue to enrich your Christian teaching here and elsewhere.
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dettinger47
November 12, 2021
Thank you, Big Sky. Same to you.
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heavensreef
November 12, 2021
Thank you David, made me cry as you touched my heart here in a big way! I know this is a prayer for so many!
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Trudy Eubanks
November 13, 2021
Awesome prayer! Thank you for including my loved ones! And as always, thank you for your blog! May God bless your prayer for all of our lost loved ones!! I stand with you in this prayer!
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dettinger47
November 13, 2021
Amen. Thank you, Trudy.
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