Prayer for Unsaved Loved Ones — sacred illustration
✶ Our Bible Moments No. 256 / 272

Salvation

Prayer for Unsaved Loved Ones

2 Peter 3:9

2 Peter 3:9 comes from the apostle Peter’s second letter to believers, where he answers scoffers who asked why Christ had not yet returned: the Lord is not slow but patient, not wanting anyone to perish.

Lord, thank You for Your patience. You do not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. I bring You the people I love who do not know You yet. Open their eyes to see Jesus. Soften their hearts, bring Your word near them, and send people into their lives who love You. Make me loving and patient with them, ready to speak of You when the door opens. Draw them home to You. Amen.

2 Peter 3:9 comes from the apostle Peter’s second letter to believers, where he answers scoffers who asked why Christ had not yet returned: the Lord is not slow but patient, not wanting anyone to perish.

The Scripture

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”

— 2 Peter 3:9

Prayer points from 2 Peter 3:9

  1. Name each loved one who doesn’t yet know Jesus.
  2. Thank God for His patience, which gives time to repent.
  3. Ask Him to open their eyes to see Jesus.
  4. Pray that He would bring believers into their lives who love them well.
  5. Ask for patience, love and the right words when a door opens.
  6. Pray that each of them would turn to God and trust Christ.

About this verse

Peter wrote this letter to warn believers about scoffers who mocked the promise of Christ’s return, asking, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Peter answers that God does not measure time as we do, since “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,” and that what looks like delay is mercy. The Lord “is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” A few lines later he says it again: “our Lord’s patience brings salvation.” That is the hope behind praying for a husband, a child, a parent or a friend who does not yet trust Christ. We cannot argue anyone into faith or set God’s timetable, but we can keep praying to the God who is patient, keep loving, and be ready to speak when a door opens. This prayer is for anyone who brings the name of an unsaved loved one to God, day after day.

When to pray this prayer

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