Be Faithful to Pray

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)

About thirteen years ago, I attended a church service wherein my pastor mentioned a man named George Mueller. He talked about how Mueller was a man whose faith acted on behalf of his friends, specifically, five friends for whose salvation he prayed. They came to salvation over a span of fifty two years, with one not being saved until after Mueller’s death.

I know God uses this story in my life to frequently remind me that I, too, can be faithful to pray for those I love. My list tends to run longer than five people, and I admittedly do not pray for them daily, but that should be my goal. Ardently asking God for the things we know he wants is a good thing. Since he sent Jesus as a sacrifice so that ALL can be saved, it makes sense that he longingly covets all the people on my list.

I desire that those I love share my faith in Jesus, which makes sense if I truly believe he is the only path to heaven. So I wait in hopeful expectation for the Lord to show up in their lives, using whatever means necessary to draw them into relationship with himself. That I can watch the process or be a part of it through action or prayer is a gift.

Because God is so very good, I have seen one of the people I have prayed for come to know him. What joy! I began praying for this special woman after her brother and I were married, nearly fifteen years ago. We had our ups and downs during that time, as I was learning, growing, and changing in my own relationship with Jesus. I definitely did not always say or do the right things, and I did not always have the right words to explain my thoughts. In short, I am sure I was not a wonderful example of Jesus all the time, and that may have made her feel unloved.

Looking back, I know my sister-in-love craved a relationship with God and wanted more knowledge of his story, but didn’t really know what she should be doing to get it. Our relationship was not super strong at the beginning of my marriage, which was complicated by my husband joining the military and us moving out of state. All I could do was tell her to go to church and get a Bible. Long talks and attending church together were not in the cards.

But God…

God took me to church and taught me, through the George Mueller story, that my prayers are worth more than any words that come from my mouth. So I prayed. I kept lifting up my sister-in-law to the Lord, and he has shown me his faithfulness.

Last August, my sister-in-love and her husband were baptized at the church they had been attending (before COVID). She sent me her written testimony, which I read before their baptism, and the tears flowed freely. Her story is a beautiful one of realizing the love of the Lord and the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Yet the work is not done. My prayers will continue as I lift up to God those still on my list. I hope that I will witness their salvation in my lifetime, but if God takes me home tomorrow, I want him to have heard my fervent prayers for those I love. I know I have written their names down before and put them somewhere I would be reminded to pray for them daily, but in the midst of moving and military life, that list is gone. We have been in one place far too long for another list to have been made, but today, it will. I must be faithful to pray.

Jesus died so that ALL can be saved. No one person deserves salvation more than anyone else. If we believe in the power of prayer, then we can believe that no person is beyond redemption, beyond relationship with God, through Christ. I will be carrying on in my prayers because I want my favorite people in heaven with me one day. I am so blessed to know that one of them will now surely be there, and I am convinced that God is working in the lives of the others. Will you join me in prayer for your people?

Lord, keep us on our knees for those we love, especially the ones who need to know your Son, Jesus, for salvation. Let our actions reflect the love of a God who loves them more than they can imagine. Let our words be gentle and kind while telling the truth of your love and sacrifice. Let them see our hope and trust in you and desire that kind of peace and rest for their own hearts. Hear our prayers, O Lord. Amen

Scripture for Reflection

“And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ ” (Mark 2:5 NIV)

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3 NIV)

Reach for More

Make your own list of five (or more) people in your life who need salvation, and put the list somewhere you will be reminded to pray for them daily. In the bathroom, taped to the mirror? Inside the door of a kitchen cupboard? By your computer? Look up some Scripture, either one verse for each person, or one that speaks to the reason for prayer for the group of them, and put it with the list. Pray God’s own Word back to him as a way of trusting that he has them in his hand.

Carla Clemens enjoys a crazy, beautiful life with her military husband, four sons, and a daughter. A baby interrupts her homeschool days in the best ways, and she is always attempting to live with mindfulness of each moment. She hopes to look at the world and each person in it in light of our amazing Creator, and therefore, to see each moment presented as an opportunity to love and serve him more. Carla relishes time to ponder God’s Word and have quiet moments with him and her coffee. She loves doing life with other mamas and encouraging them to simply be who God has made them to be.

Photograph © Kelly Sikkema, used with permission