Praying for the lost

Posted on by

Are you praying for someone to come to know Christ? Using scripture, a prayer for you…

Father, thank You that You love the world so much that You sent Your only Son, Jesus Christ, so that whoever believes in Him would receive salvation and eternal life. “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him” (John 3:16-17, AMPC).

Thank You, Jesus Christ, that through Your sacrifice on the cross and Your shed blood, all who come to You receive forgiveness, eternal life, and the riches of Your grace. “… we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7, KJV). For, “… everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him” (John 3:15, NASB). 

Jesus, You came to seek and save the lost, we beseech You to seek out those we are praying for and save them. “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10, NKJV).

Thank You, Heavenly Father that You desire all people be saved and come to the knowledge of Your Truth. For God desires, “all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, NASB)

Oh God those who are lost have eyes blinded by the devil so they don’t recognize Jesus Christ as Savior. Open their eyes so that they will repent, turn from darkness and the dominion of Satan, to Your truth and the wonderful light of You, God, and receive forgiveness of their sins. “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4, NASB). “… open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith” in Jesus. (Acts 26:18, NASB) “… grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it] (2 Timothy 2:25, AMPC).

The lost are held captive by the devil to do his will, help them come to their senses and escape. “… come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:26, NASB).

Father help the lost to seek You and call on You. Help them change their wicked ways and banish their wrong thoughts. Let them turn to You and Your generous mercy and forgiveness. “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously” (Isaiah 55:6-7, NLT).

We pray the lost would repent and turn to You so that their sins will be wiped out and the times of refreshing will come. “repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]” (Acts 3:19-20, AMP).

Father, we pray they would acknowledge and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in their heart that You, God, raised Him from the dead, so they will be saved. Thank You that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. “… if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. …for Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:9-13, NASB).

Make them know Your ways, O Lord; teach them Your paths. Lead them in Your truth and teach them, for You are the God of our salvation. “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long” (Psalm 25:4-5, AMPC).

Thank You, Father that nothing is impossible for You. “I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me” (Jeremiah 32:27, NCV).

Thank You for Your great faithfulness and steadfast love never ceases and are new every morning. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV). 

Thank You that You paid the price for freedom, help the lost come back to You so that their sins are swept away like a mist. “I have swept away your sins like a thick cloud. I have made your guilt to vanish like mist disappearing into thin air. Now come back, come back to me, for I have paid the price for you” (Isaiah 44:22, TPT).

Oh, how we long for them to come to know the amazing height, depth, and width of Your love, God. That they will be filled with the fullness of God through the abundant joy, grace, and mercy of Jesus Christ. “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19, NASB). 

Jesus, may they hear You knocking on their heart’s door and open to You so that their scarlet sins will be forgiven and become white as snow. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him …” (Revelation 3:20, NASB). “’Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18, NASB). 

Thank You for Your compassionate, unfailing love that removes sins as far as the east from the west. “For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him” (Psalm 103:11-13, NLT).

God, our compassionate Heavenly Father, hear our heart’s cry please save those we are lifting up to You. “O God, hear my prayer. Listen to my heart’s cry (Psalm 61:1, TPT). 

Heavenly Father, make them know the way of life for in Your presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forever. “You will make known to me the way of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11, NASB).

May they very soon be those who find the happiness, joy, and relief of Your merciful forgiveness. “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record” (Psalm 32:1-2, TLB).

Thank You, Father. We ask these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21, NKJV).

Scripture via https://biblegateway.com

Watch on YouTube — https://youtu.be/kgq4c2DiTLE

 

A pause for equipping

Posted on by

Do you wonder if you are equipped for what God has called you to do? Encouraging scriptures for you ….

“… I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11, AMP).

God “…delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]” (2 Timothy 1:9, AMP).

“…God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7, NASB).

“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13, AMP).

“… God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NKJV).

“… God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, AMPC).

Therefore, “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23, AMP).

“The Lord will accomplish what concerns me ….” (Psalm 138:8, NASB).

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NLT).

“For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment” (Luke 1:37, AMPC).

“Stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6, AMPC).

“Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him. Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times” (Romans 12:11-12, TPT).

I pray “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” (Ephesians 1:17-19, NKJV).

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT).

Watch and listen on YouTube… https://youtu.be/eHbH8dHgd1s?si=ERGeiXeCK3iBn0tI

https://lisabuffaloe.com

Run to the fire

Posted on by

The other night I dreamed a pastor was telling everyone to hold something like a warm compress to their chests for two minutes and think about God. The idea sounded good, and yet in my mind; I heard the words “Run to the fire.”

I woke and wondered how often we look for something that makes us feel warm and fuzzy when we think about God, because He is such a good and wonderful God. However, how often do we miss the fire of God’s presence, the fire of God’s word, and the fire of the Holy Spirit?

Run to the fire of God’s glory, “… to the eyes of the sons of Israel, the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire … for our God is a consuming fire” (Exodus 24:17, Hebrews 12:29, NASB).

Run to the fire of God’s word… “’Is not My word like a fire?’ says the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?’” (Jeremiah 23:29, NKJV).

Run to the fire of the Holy Spirit, “And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit …” (Acts 2:3-4, NASB).

Run to the fire of God’s guidance, “And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night (Exodus 13:21, NASB).

Therefore, “…stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you…” (2 Timothy 1:6, AMPC).

Send Your fire, Lord! Send the fire of Your Holy Spirit, let His fire come and let His fire flow. Fire us up to follow You, to walk in Your ways, to serve You, and keep our focus on You. Fire through us to listen to You, to watch where You are working and to be totally committed to You. Burn away the dross in our lives, burn away the hindrances, and burn away our sin in the purity of Your holy presence. Ignite in us the light of Your presence so that we will shine for Your glory. Fire within us the desire to go, tell, and make disciples of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Ignite in us and kindle afresh, the gifting You have given each of us. Ignite in us the hope of our calling. Ignite in us Your truth so that we may speak Your truth. Burn in our hearts so that we may burn for You!

“Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek His grace, that the fire may never be quenched.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

“Do not let anything set your heart beating so fast as love for Him. Let this ambition fire your soul; may this be the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow cold.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

 The post, Run to the fire, first appeared on lisabuffaloe.com