John 3:16 states “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” While we know this to be true and hold it dear to our hearts, there are people in this world who are unaware of God, His Love, His Son Jesus, and His gift of eternal salvation.
Nonbelievers may include some of your friends, family members, or coworkers. When we realize that someone hasn’t turned their life over to God, we may be sad, scared for them, and confused about how to respond.
One great way to help those who do not believe is by praying for them. We can do so by effectively asking God for His guidance. By lifting them up in prayer, we can ask God to help them begin a faith journey or ask for advice on how to minister to them. The Lord will listen to your cries and work through you.
Here are a few prayers to help you get started when praying for a unbeliever.
Prayer They Will Know God
My Heavenly Father, in John 17:3, Jesus says, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Jesus was praying that people come to know You, our only means to eternal salvation. Today I choose to pray as Jesus did and ask that You help those who have yet to give their lives to Christ. May Your love and power reveal themselves to the nonbelievers, so that they will someday know You! Amen.
Prayer That God Will Turn Their Stubborn Heart
Lord Almighty, as I pray today for those that do not know Jesus I ask that You can break whatever it is that has control over their heart that takes them away from knowing You. Psalm 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” It is true that many have to fall to their lowest points in life before they turn their life over to You. It often takes painful circumstances to drive us to Christ. Addiction, lust, materialism, and other deadly sins are false gods that are stealing the hearts of those who need You the most. I pray for those who are unsaved that You will be able to rip the bondage of what is holding them back. May they seek You! Amen.
Prayer That God Will Put His Spirit Within Them
Holy Spirit, I know the great joy of salvation is being indwelled by God himself. I pray that God would grant this honor to those unbelievers, that He would choose to take up residence within them. May He fill the hearts of those who have yet to see Him! As Ezekiel 36:27 states, “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” I am blessed to have the Spirit within me, and I pray for that blessing for unbelievers so that they can know true happiness. Amen.
Prayer For God to Remove Satan’s Influence
Lord, it is scary to know that unbelievers have been blinded by Satan. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 it says, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” How will they ever know You if they are blind? I pray that they are able to see and appreciate the gospel by You working within them. I pray God that You give them opportunities to see the light and glory of Jesus Christ. Bless them with the spiritual sight needed to break the influence that Satan has taken over them. Amen.
Prayer For Opportunities to Minister to Them
Lord, I know it is my duty to spread the Word of God and show others the glory that can be found within You. Many people come to faith after seeing Christ’s loved displayed through the ministry of Christians. So today, I pray for opportunities to minister to unbelievers. Help me to spread Your ministry effectively to those who do not know you. I pray that You work through other Christians, so that they have the ability to minister to nonbelievers too. Lead us all to opportunities to encounter those who do not know Jesus. Let us all be an example of Christian living. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Prayer For God to Extend His Mercy on Them
God, I know that it is Your deepest wish to have all people have faith in You. It must break your heart in seeing someone choose false gods. I pray that You continue to be patient and merciful on those who have not yet found You. As it is said in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to parish but everyone to come to repentance.” How blessed are we to have a God that will wait for us to turn our hearts to Him! We are blessed by a merciful and loving God that receives no joy in watching someone perish without knowing His love. Amen.
Prayer to Forgive the Sins of the Lost
Lord, I know that only those who have committed the sins can fully ask for your forgiveness. But today, I turn to you and ask in Jesus’ name to demolish the strongholds in their minds that those sins have allowed. I ask that these walls are broken so they have the ability to see You! With Jesus, I know we have the authority and power to overcome the enemy in their lives. May the evil in their lives be banned away by the Spirit of God so that they can begin to ask for true forgiveness. Father, help them see their need for a Savior, to know they must confess their sins, repent, believe and live a fruitful life. Help them choose Your mercy and Your gift of grace, to believe with their hearts and confess with their mouths, Jesus is Lord. We ask in Your will, that not any should perish. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
It is heartbreaking to know when someone you love and care about doesn’t believe in the Lord. While it may take time for them to turn their lives over to God, we can help start the process by lifting them up in prayer regularly. Through Jesus, we have the power to help those nonbelievers find faith.
