The topic of praying for the unsaved is an important one for Christians. Scripture provides guidance on how believers should approach praying for those who do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Overall, the Bible encourages intercessory prayer on behalf of nonbelievers as an act of love and compassion, with faith that God can use our prayers to draw people to saving faith.
Here are some of the key biblical themes related to praying for the unsaved:
Praying for All People
Several passages instruct Christians to pray generally for all people. For example:
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1).
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19-21).
Though these passages do not call out the unsaved specifically, they promote a heart attitude of caring prayer for all people, which would include nonbelievers. Praying for those who do not follow God demonstrates love and a desire for their wellbeing.
Praying for Opportunities to Share the Gospel
In addition to praying generally for nonbelievers’ lives and circumstances, several verses encourage praying for opportunities to share the message of salvation with others:
“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison” (Colossians 4:3).
“Pray also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).
These verses promote praying that God would open doors for the gospel to be shared with nonbelievers. As Christians pray for openness and receptive hearts, God often answers by orchestrating witnessing opportunities.
Praying for Receptive Hearts
In addition to external opportunities, Christians can pray for God to internally soften nonbelievers’ hearts to be receptive to the gospel. For example:
“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake…” (Philippians 1:29).
These verses acknowledge that both initial saving faith and ongoing belief are gifts from God. Prayers for nonbelievers can ask God to grant these gifts of faith and openness.
Praying for Salvation
While Scripture does not explicitly command praying for the salvation of specific nonbelievers, believers naturally desire for loved ones to come to salvation through faith in Jesus. This heart attitude seems consistent with God’s desire for all to repent and be reconciled through Christ:
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Based on God’s heart for all people to find salvation, Christians may feel led to pray specifically for individual nonbelievers to place saving faith in Christ.
Praying for Strength & Boldness as Witnesses
Scripture also instructs believers to pray for courage and wisdom in sharing the gospel with others:
“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel…” (Ephesians 6:18-19).
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).
As Christians pray for opportunities to reach the unsaved, they should also pray for courage and discernment in how to winsomely communicate the gospel when chances arise.
Praying for Laborers
In addition to praying for nonbelievers and for personal empowerment, Christians should pray for more laborers for the plentiful harvest of unbelievers:
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest'” (Matthew 9:37-38).
Jesus calls believers to pray for more faithful workers to join in the efforts of reaching the unsaved. More vocational ministers and faithful witnesses are needed to advance the gospel among non-Christians.
God’s Heart for the Unsaved
While God calls believers to reach out to the unsaved in evangelism and prayer, it is also clear that He loves nonbelievers and wants all to come to repentance:
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11).
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17).
God’s heart is for all people to know Him. He is patient, not wanting any to perish apart from faith in Jesus. His desire should shape our prayers for nonbelievers.
Practical Tips for Praying for the Unsaved
When praying for unbelievers, here are some practical tips:
- Pray with loving concern for their wellbeing, not judgment.
- Ask God to soften their hearts and open them to the gospel.
- Pray for specific individuals regularly and persistently.
- When appropriate, tell them you are praying for them.
- Look for opportunities to show them God’s love in practical ways.
- Ask God to empower you to share with them courageously if opportunities arise.
God Uses Our Prayers
While salvation depends on God’s grace rather than human efforts, He often chooses to use the prayers of His people to draw unbelievers to saving faith. Our heartfelt prayers on behalf of the unsaved are not in vain:
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…” (Romans 8:26).
We can have confidence that God hears our prayers for salvation and can use them to further His kingdom purposes.
Being Wise & Sober-Minded
While earnestly praying for the unsaved is commended in Scripture, believers should exercise wisdom in how they approach intercession:
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:1-2).
Paul deeply desired his fellow Jews to know Christ. But he acknowledged their “zeal without knowledge” was misguided. Likewise, our prayers should be grounded in truth.
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
While praying for unbelievers, we must exercise patience and grace, remembering that salvation comes from God’s work in their hearts.
Follow Christ’s Example
As with all areas of the Christian life, Jesus perfectly modeled intercessory prayer for us to follow. Christ persistently prayed for His disciples’ faith and future believers:
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world…I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one… Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world…I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:6-21).
As we pray for those who need God’s salvation, Christ modeled bringing people before the Father persistently and with faith in God’s sanctifying work.
Trusting God’s Sovereignty
While fervently interceding for unbelievers, we must remember salvation is ultimately God’s work, not ours. Our faithful prayers are used by God, but He retains sovereign control:
“So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:16).
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44).
God draws people to Himself according to His will and timing. We simply pray with faith and trust His purposes, while fulfilling our role as witnesses.
Summary Principles
In summary, here are some key biblical principles for praying for unbelievers:
- Pray for all people, including nonbelievers.
- Ask God for opportunities to share the gospel.
- Pray for receptive hearts and openness to God’s truth.
- Pray persistently for specific people.
- Remember God’s heart is for all to be saved.
- Exercise Christlike humility, grace and wisdom.
- Trust in God’s sovereign will and timing.
The Bible affirms God’s desire for all people to know Him. Intercessory prayer for unbelievers is an important part of joining Christ in His redemptive mission. Our prayers make a difference while also relying fully on the Spirit’s work.