I’ve told people that there is no place in the Bible where Christians are told to pray for the salvation of non-Christians. We are supposed to pray for one another, and for God’s will to be done, but I can’t find anything that says we must intercede for the lost.
The closest Scripture about prayer for the lost is 1 Timothy 2. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Yet even this prayer seems more focused toward believers, that in our praying we develop an attitude of godliness and contentment so we can live at peace in a contrary environment.
In John 17, even Jesus says, “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.” His concern is for His own. He does not pray for those who are not.
However, the Bible does say, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
God wants people to believe. So what is my model for praying for those who don’t? Farther along in John 17, Jesus says, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
I’m reading a bit between the lines here, but in context, Jesus seems to be saying that if His people were united in motives, efforts and goals, we would not have to be concerned with the salvation of lost because they would see the power of God in us and believe in Christ. Instead of signs, wonders, miracles, and so forth, we need to show them harmony in the family of God.
This unity is not a matter of all believing the same, acting and looking the same, being identical. The Bible is filled with talk about unity in diversity, a concept that the world aims for but rarely sees. Canadian multiculturalism is one example. We strive to encourage ethnic differences, yet those differences are often a source of contention.
In contrast, the family of God is described as a body with different members. The body only works well when all the members do their part, working well together. While most people take the physical working of a human body for granted, how amazed would they be if a body the size of all those who believe in Christ became one, was totally united in everything we do. I’m thinking that would be a greater tool for evangelism than all the crusades, concerts, outreach services, and personal witnessing put together.
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