If so, who? Are there people that we should Pray for, and others we should not? We do not know other's Hearts, so are we wasting time? Does it do anyone any good whatsoever, if you, someone they never heard of, say a Prayer for them? Is it not the "Christian Thing" to do, to Pray for Peace in the World and Pray for others?
We read things like this...
"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." {Ephesians 3:14-19}Then we read things like this...
"Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" {Colossians 1:8-14}But then, God told Jeremiah
"Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble." {Jeremiah 11:14}When Jesus is Praying, He makes this statement...
"I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine." {John 17:9}So wait, Should we Pray for others or not? The answer is Yes. However, the real question is WHO? Notice this.. "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;" Also this.. "Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it," And this as well..."I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me" Who should we be Praying for? Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Our Family. Other Children of God.
Is it not the "Christian thing to do" to Pray for the World? To Pray for Peace? What about others to find Salvation? The Short answer is, it may be the "Christian thing to do," but it is not Biblical nor is it what God wants us to do.
First the obvious. There will NEVER be World Peace, as long as we are in charge. Why? Because WE are not in charge. There is coming a time..
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." {Matthew 24:6-8}Jesus goes on in great detail to tell us what is coming. Then He says "Behold, I have told you before." When Predicting His Betrayal, He said this "Now I tell you before it come," Again when telling His Disciples of His death and the coming of the Holy Spirit, "And now I have told you before it come to pass."
The point is, it is coming.It will happen. The end of the World as we know it. Not all will be Saved. Not all will accept the Truth. Jesus told us to Fear Not. These things MUST come to pass. So? Who are we to Pray against God?
What about Praying for the Individual? Notice in the examples given to us in God's Word, those that are Prayed for, are Children of God already. Not the lost or the dead. As a matter of fact, remember what Jesus told someone who asked to have time to go bury his Father before he followed Him? Jesus said
"But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead." {Matthew 8:22}Jesus called the Religious folks, the Rulers of the Synagogues, the Priests and Rabbis, the Children of the Devil. Why? Because HE knows the Heart of Man. God knows the Hearts of men are Evil continuously. He knows who to call out of the World and who will never accept Him. We do not. Do not waste your time.
But is it not compassionate to Pray for another to find Salvation? Yes. You can Pray that someone you care about hears the Truth and allows the Truth to set them Free. You can share the Truth with them. And you SHOULD share the Truth with them. But here is the other Truth. You can Pray for Billy Bob, everyday, for ten years. Ten years later, Billy Bob goes to stand before God. What happens next has NOTHING to do with you. Either He accepted the Truth, or he did not. Either he is Saved, or he never believed. It is totally his choice.
I have three kids. Josh, accepted Jesus and has been Baptized. Eli? Maya? I hope so. I will Pray that they do, however, the choice is theirs to make. No matter how much I love them, no matter how much God loves them, THEY have freewill and THEY have to chose to accept the Truth or not..
Pray for the Family. Pray for your Brothers and Sisters in Christ. If you want, Pray for an unlimited number of Salvations a day, for the Praise and Glory be to God. But do not Pray for the World. Do not Pray for the Lost. Tell them the Truth, and allow them to decide. They are the only ones that can. Just like you, it is between them and God..
What is the Truth? Jesus came and died for our Sins. All we have to do is accept this. Allow His Sacrifice be a substitute for you. His Blood for your blood, His death for your death. His Resurrection for your eternal Soul. There is no other way...
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}
Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..
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