What is evangelistic prayer? It’s praying for the salvation of the lost. I’m sure that most of us have prayed for God to save our friends and our love ones. However, what does the scripture teach about this? To find out let’s look at 1 Timothy 2:1
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…”
Notice the scripture says that we are to pray for all people. Yet we often just pray for those we like. God does not want us to be like Jonah and pick who we will pray for. We are commanded to pray for ALL men. And why would God want us to do this? The answer can be found in the following verses:
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”– 1 Timothy 2:3-4
1 Timothy 2:3-4
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.”
Titus 2:11
“To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
Acts 3:26
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”
Matthew 28:19a
So we are to pray for God’s saving grace to fall upon every man. And if that wasn’t enough the scripture goes on to say we are to pray for those in position of authority.
“for kings and all those in authority…”
2 Timothy 2:2a
It is clear from the context that this too is evangelistic prayer. We as Christian will pray for wisdom, guidance, or even removal for our elected leaders. But how many of us are praying for the salvation of our elected leaders; democrat and republican alike?
Does God answer evangelistic prayers, especially prayer for the salvation of our enemies? Again the scripture answers this, specifically Acts 7.
“Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen… While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing him.”
Now who was it that we know God saved who was present at the stoning of Stephen? Paul of course. And the last thing the dying Stephen did was to raise up an evangelistic prayer. Do we have a compassion that drives us to prayer for all the lost? Let us be obedient and raise our voices to heaven asking God to bring repentance to all the lost.