HOUSEHOLD SALVATION
John Jacobson, Assistant Pastor - Faith Pleases God Church
We praise God for the many prayer requests we receive for the salvation of family and friends. We believe that when we pray scripturally that God is able to move and bring those loved ones into the Kingdom of God. We encourage you to pray according to the following Biblical principles:
1. Know that it is the will of God to save them - 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9. Understand that the salvation of your household is promised in scripture - Old Testament Types: Ex 12:3-4, Joshua 2:13,18; New Testament Promises: Acts 2:39; 11:13-14; 16:14-15, 31; Heb 11:7.
2. Since God wants them saved, it's not necessary to keep asking Him-1 John 5:14-15, Mark 11:23-24. The real problem is the enemy who is blocking the message of the Gospel - 2 Corinthians 4:4.
3. The majority of your prayer time, therefore, needs to be in intercession: stripping away those deceiving spirits so that the light of the glorious gospel CAN shine on them, pulling down the strongholds - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, and forbidding any interference from the demonic realm - Matthew 18:18. Ask for Discerning of Spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10) to identify what the primary spiritual obstacles are.
4. Pray that the Holy Spirit carry out His work unhindered to convict them of their sin, of righteousness that is available only through Jesus, and of Judgment if they refuse Him - John 16:8.
5. Loose the angels (Matthew 18:18; Hebrews 1:14) and ask God to send laborers (Luke 10:2) to minister and "harvest" them. Then be prepared to be one of the laborers, to your loved ones and/or someone else's loved ones (Galatians 6:7). Ask for the right combination of boldness and wisdom - James 1:5; Acts 14:3.
6. Call those things that be not as though they were - Romans 4:17. "___________ (insert name of the person), I call you into the Kingdom of God. I call you saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, and serving God with all your heart, might, mind and strength."
7. Make sure your life is without unforgiveness (Mat 6:14-15) or other sin and that your relationship with God is without hindrance - Isa 59:2; Psa 37:3-5 - so that your prayers can be effective (Jas 5:16)
Remember Isaiah 55:11; 45:22-23, and then let God do it His way. Our job is to pray, God's job is to save them! He seldom does it the same way twice. As conviction sets in, your loved ones may seem to "get worse before they get better." Don't despair, but rejoice that the Holy Spirit is getting through to them. Keep praising and thanking God for their salvation and you will see them come into the Kingdom of God!
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