Why Pray for the Lost?

Romans 10:1-4

Romans 10:1–4 (NLT)

1 Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.

2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.

4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

INTRODUCTION:

Note some biblical answers to the question: "Why should I pray for the lost?"

I- I MUST PRAY FOR THE LOST BECAUSE OF THE SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES. (Romans 10:1-4).

Romans 10:1–4 (NLT)

1 Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.

2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.

4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

A- Paul prayed for the lost people in Israel.

1. They were zealous for the wrong thing . (Romans 10:2 a)

Romans 10:2a (NLT)

2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

2. They did not understand the truth (Romans 10:2b-3a).

Romans 10:2b–3a (NLT)

2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.

3. They did not know Christ (Romans 10:3-4).

Romans 10:3–4 (NLT)

3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.

4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

B- Jesus prayed that people would believe.

(John 11:41-42).

John 11:41–42 (NLT)

41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me.

42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.”

1. Jesus prayed for those who were at the tomb of Lazarus.

2. Jesus knew and proclaimed that the only way to the Father is through Christ.

(John 3:16-18).

John 3:16–18 (NLT)

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

II- I MUST PRAY FOR THE LOST BECAUSE THE LOST MAN CAN NOT PRAY FOR HIMSELF. (John 14:6)

John 14:6 (NLT)

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

A- The lost man is spiritually dead and thus cannot communicate with God.

(Ephesians 2:1)

Ephesians 2:1 (NLT)

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

1. The term for "dead" is the word "νεκρός" which refers to a lifeless corpse.

2. A lifeless corpse is helpless in every way and can not communicate with anyone.

B- The lost man lacks understanding about the importance of spiritual matters

(1 Corinthians 2:14).

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)

14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

1. The Lost man sees spiritual matters as foolishness.

C- The lost man has been spiritually blinded by Satan to prevent his salvation.

(2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 (NLT)

3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.

4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

1. Satan will even use religion to blind the lost man to his need.

III- I MUST PRAY FOR THE LOST BECAUSE THE PRAYERS OF THE SAVED ARE POWERFUL.(James 5:16)

James 5:16 (NLT)

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

A- When believers get serious with God in prayer it moves heaven.

1. The example of Elijah's prayers demonstrate this principle. (James 5:17-18).

James 5:17–18 (NLT)

17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

2. The example of Moses' prayers demonstrate this principle. (Exodus 32:11-14).

Exodus 32:11–14 (NLT)

11 But Moses tried to pacify the Lord his God. “O Lord!” he said. “Why are you so angry with your own people whom you brought from the land of Egypt with such great power and such a strong hand?

12 Why let the Egyptians say, ‘Their God rescued them with the evil intention of slaughtering them in the mountains and wiping them from the face of the earth’? Turn away from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you have threatened against your people!

13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You bound yourself with an oath to them, saying, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven. And I will give them all of this land that I have promised to your descendants, and they will possess it forever.’ ”

14 So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.

B- The Holy Spirit takes our requests to the Father

(Romans 8:26-27)

Romans 8:26–27 (NLT)

26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

1. He empowers our prayers.

C- Jesus has promised us positive results when we pray.

(John 14:13).

John 14:13 (NLT)

13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.

D- Praying for the Salvation of the lost is a prayer that we can pray with the confidence that God will hear and answer.

1. Asking in God's will assures an answer

(1 John 5:14-15)

1 John 5:14–15 (NLT)

14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

2. God desires the conversion of the lost

(2 Peter 3:9).

2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

IV- I MUST UNITE WITH OTHER BELIEVERS IN PRAYING FOR THE LOST BECAUSE OF THE

UNIQUE POWER RELEASED THROUGH UNITED IN PRAYER. (Matthew 18:19).

Matthew 18:19 (NLT)

19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.

A- God moves in mighty ways when God's people united in prayer.

1. The example of the early church.

(Acts 1:12-14)

Acts 1:12–14 (NLT)

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.

13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James).

14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

(Acts 2:41)

Acts 2:41 (NLT)

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

2. It is likely that the early church united in prayer about the persecution Saul of Tarsus unleashed against the church

(Acts 7:58)

Acts 7:58 (NLT)

58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

(Acts 8:1-3)

Acts 8:1–3 (NLT)

1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.

2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)

3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

Note God's intervention: (Acts 9:1-20)-Read

Acts 9:1–20 (NLT)

1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.

2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!

6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!

8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.

9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied.

11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now.

12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!

14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.

16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days.

20 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”

CONCLUSION:

A- Praying individually for the lost is powerful:

1- Personal experiences:

a. Don Mouton

b. Joyce Florentine

B- Praying with other believers is effective:

1. Churches I challenged to pray for the lost by name.

Challenge believers and church to pray for the lost.