Faith for Unsaved Friends and Family
Sep. 12 2006
How do we continue in faith for people we love who don’t know Jesus yet?
I was reading in Pipers book The Pleasures of God. (Man I am so glad he is speaking at Na 2007.) He quotes George Mueller:
“I have also prayed daily, without intermission, for the conversion of other individuals about ten years, for others six or seven years...and still the answer is not yet granted, concerning these persons whom I have prayed for nineteen years I daily continue in prayer and expecting the answer...Be encouraged dear Christian reader, with fresh earnestness to give yourself to prayer.”
How do we continue in faith? We pray. We pray earnestly, we pray passionately, and we pray in faith that we are in conversation with the Father who loves people.
There are two thoughts that help me in my faith and prayer for people I love who don’t know Jesus. The first is in a passage (1 Tim 2:4) talking about prayer where Paul instructs Timothy to pray for kings in high positions. He reminds Timothy of something about the God he is praying to. He says, “This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God our savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” What a truth! You are praying to a Father who is not reluctant in any way to save. He loves to save and will save. Let that inspire you to pray all the more for your friend or family member. God will save!
The second thought is a line I learned from Mark Dever (I can’t believe he is going to speak at Na 2007 too. God is so good.) He said in a message about Ruth a simple line: “The story is not over.” What a great thought. I think Mueller had this in mind as he was praying for the same person for 19 and a half years for salvation. The story is not over. We need to appeal to God knowing the story is not over. Let’s not wane in faith for our friends and family. Let’s keep praying. Just because God has not answered your prayer yet that does not mean the story is over and the book is shut. No, God’s book of life is always open and he daily is writing names in the Book of Life of unworthy sinners who have inherited everlasting life with him. Look at the book brothers and sisters and see your name and let that fuel your passion to pray. The story is not over and he will save. He saved you. Talk about a miracle. If he can save you he can save anyone.