On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Acts 16:13-14
Dear heavenly Father, I’m particularly stirred today to pray for the conversion of family members, friends and neighbors. O how I long to see many come to a saving knowledge of Jesus… to be robed in his righteousness, at rest in his love, and redeemed for your glory.
My confidence is in knowing that salvation belongs to you—it’s fully yours to provide and it’s freely yours to give. My joy is in knowing you to be an outrageously generous God—one who has covenanted to redeem an enormous family… so big no one can count your children… from every nation, tribe, people and language. My hope is strong, for you are the great Heart-Opener. As you opened Lydia’s heart to believe the gospel, so you can open ANY heart to believe the gospel.
As you’ve appointed the end of all things, so you’ve appointed the means to your ends. It’s a humbling mystery, indeed, Father, but you delight to use our prayers to accomplish your purposes… to reveal your glory… to unveil your story of redemption and restoration to the world.
So, in light of who you are and what you’ve promised through the work of Jesus… Father, please save any of our children and grandchildren who don’t know you. Rescue them from religion and irreligion… from self-righteousness and unrighteousness… from moral arrogance and hedonistic extravagance… from cultural agnosticism and philosophical smoke-screens. Open their hearts to see the salvation you alone can give, and as you did with Paul, pour out your grace on them abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Jesus (1 Timothy 1:14).
For our friends who are in church, but not in Christ, make this clear to them. By hard providence or sweet wooings, it makes no difference. Reveal Jesus to their hearts (Galatians 1:16). For our neighbors and friends we think are too mean, successful, or smart to become Christians… first of all, forgive us for being so arrogant… secondly, we ask you to bring them into relationship with yourself. Help us love them as your image-bearers, not as our projects. So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus’ great and grace-full name.
