Day 17—A Prayer for the Lost

“to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” (Acts 26:18, NIV84)

This verse is actually part of the Apostle Paul’s testimony when he was on trial before King Agrippa. He was telling the king what Jesus had said to him during during his dramatic conversion and call into a life of ministry. Jesus had said to Paul, “I am sending you to (the lost in the world) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

I have found this commission that Jesus placed upon Paul to be a powerful model of prayer when I’m praying for someone to be saved.

First, pray that God would open their eyes, that they can see. Scripture says that “the god of this age (world) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4, NIV84). In the name of Jesus, bind the work and the lies of the devil and every agent of darkness, and pray for light to break through into their heart.

Then pray that they would turn, from darkness to light. To turn is to repent, to have a change of mind and heart that results in a change of direction in your life. 

Pray that the person would be delivered out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God. Pray that they would be free from any power that satan has over their lives, and that they would step into the power of the living God.

Pray that they would receive forgiveness of their sins. That they would realize their sinful condition and their need of a savior and forgiveness. Pray that they receive their freedom from the penalty of sin, the pain of sin, and the power of sin.

And pray that they would find their place among the community of those of us who believe and follow Christ. Pray that people with positive witness and influence will come into their lives. Pray that they would find a church in which they will find friendship, be taught the Word of God, and find a place to serve and make a difference. 

Another model of prayer can be added to tased on our four point vision at Harvest:

Pray that they would come to 1) know God, 2) find freedom, 3) discover their purpose, and 4) make a difference in their world.