We are called as Christians to share the love of Christ with those who do not yet know Him.
One powerful way we can do this is by praying for the lost. But how do we pray for those who are lost and seeking salvation? How can we intercede and ask God to work in their hearts?
In this article, I will share how I learned to pray for the lost and provide a step-by-step guide so that you will also know how to pray for the lost effectively.
As well as walk through some practical tips on how to pray for lost souls. So, you can ask God to bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
This article also covers the following:
- Why you should pray for the lost.
- Thirteen Bible verses about praying for the lost.
- How to pray for the lost: step-by-step guide.
- Ten prayers for the lost and
- Frequently Asked Questions about how to pray for the lost.
Therefore, I urge you to keep reading to discover how to pray for someone to be saved.
Why Pray for the Lost to Be Saved?
God’s word admonishes us to be witnesses for Christ and to share the Gospel message of Christ with the world. The truth, however, is that the ultimate decision to accept or reject Christ lies with each person.
This is where praying for the lost comes in. By praying for those yet to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, we ask God to work in their lives and draw them closer to Himself.
When we pray for lost souls, we are partaking in God’s ministry of reconciliation, which is to save the souls of men and bring them into His kingdom.
Therefore, praying for the lost is both a privilege and a responsibility for every true believer.
13 Bible Verses About Praying for the Lost
The following is what the Bible says about praying for the lost. You can also use these Scriptures to pray for the lost.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save 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.
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will never drive away.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
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How to Pray for the Lost: Step-By-Step Guide
As you already know, praying effectively for the lost is our responsibility as believers. If you are wondering, “how do you pray for someone lost? Or how do you pray for a lost soul?
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pray for the lost:
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Step 1: Thank God for Saving You.
First, begin by thanking God for your salvation, saving you from sin and condemnation, and making you a believer in Christ Jesus.
By expressing gratitude to God for His gift of salvation, which you have received, you will be reminded of the joy and peace that comes from knowing Christ.
It will also help you recognize how vital it is to share the gospel with those yet to receive it. So, to get started, thank God for your own salvation and ask Him to use you as an instrument and witness to bring others to Him.
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Step 2: Seek God’s Forgiveness for Your Own Sins.
The second step is to confess your sins and ask God to forgive you. Acknowledging that we are not perfect and have our share of faults is crucial.
Asking for forgiveness shows humility and a desire to do better. By seeking forgiveness, we become more empathetic towards others’ struggles and can intercede for them with a pure heart.
As you pray for the lost, confess your sins and seek God’s forgiveness. This act will enable you to approach God with a clear conscience and make your prayers more effective.
This will ensure your prayer is effective.
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Step 3: Pray for the Lost Who Needs Saving.
Next, pray for the lost soul who needs God’s saving grace. Praying for the lost can be likened to a reminder of the urgency of evangelism and the importance of reaching out to those still lost in sin.
So, intercede for the individual who has not experienced salvation so they can find their way back to God.Mention the lost person’s name; you make your prayer more specific by doing this.
Also, ask God to reveal Himself to them and draw them to Himself. As you pray fervently for the lost, trust that God will grant their souls salvation much sooner than you expect.
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Step 4: Commit Their Needs and Struggles to God.
You certainly cannot save anyone on your own. As such, you need God’s intervention in the lives of those you are praying for.
By entrusting their needs and life struggles to God, you acknowledge He can do the miraculous in their lives. So, pray specifically for their needs and struggles. Ask God to meet them exactly where they are.
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Step 5: Incorporate Scriptures into Your Prayers.
The fifth step is to incorporate Scripture into your prayers. The word of God is alive, quick, powerful, and capable of piercing through the darkest heart.
By incorporating God’s word when praying for the lost, you invite His trans-formative power into their lives. Incorporating Scriptures will also help you pray confidently, knowing you are praying according to God’s will.
Therefore, make this step a habit in your prayer for the lost, and trust God’s promises to bring salvation. You can start with Scriptures like 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Timothy 2:4.
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Step 6: Pray for the Person’s Salvation.
Next, pray for the person’s salvation. This is perhaps one of the most important steps. Ask God to open their heart to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior and help them understand the gospel’s truth.
Salvation transforms lives. So, pray that God will open their hearts to Him and their eyes to be enlightened by the truth.
By prioritizing this step in your prayers for the lost you are praying for, you demonstrate your love and concern for their eternal well-being.
So, I encourage you to make it a top priority on your prayer list to pray for the salvation of lost souls and trust God to answer your prayers in due time.
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Step 7: Ask God for an Opportunity to Share the Gospel with Them.
Another crucial step is this seventh step which is to pray for opportunities to share the gospel with the lost. In your prayer, ask God to use you as a witness and give you the right words to minister to those in need of salvation.
By doing so, you invite God to lead you to the right people and to open their hearts to receive the message like the Samaritan woman.
As you pray for these opportunities, be sensitive not to let any opportunity God brings your way pass you by.
So, seize the opportunities as they come, share the good news with them and leave the actual conversion to the Holy Spirit.
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Step 8: Intercede for Other Believers Praying for Lost Souls.
Interceding means standing in the gap for others. This type of prayer requires compassion, empathy, and a genuine desire to see others come to Jesus.
Through intercession for the souls, we participate in the ministry of reconciliation and witness the power of prayer in transforming lives.
So, pray for other believers who are also praying for the lost, just like you. Ask God to energize and strengthen their faith and use them to make a difference in the lives of those who do not know Christ.
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Step 9: Engage in Spiritual Warfare to Demolish Spiritual Oppositions and Hindrances.
The ninth step in praying for the lost is to embark on spiritual warfare when necessary. Engaging in spiritual warfare is a vital step in praying for the lost.
As Christians, we understand that many spiritual oppositions and hindrances stand in the way of people coming to Christ.
But by engaging in spiritual warfare, we demolish these spiritual obstacles and clear the way for the gospel to penetrate the hearts of those the devil is holding captive through sin.
Spiritual warfare often involves prayer, fasting, and the help of the Holy Spirit to fight against the enemy’s schemes.
So, pray against any spiritual opposition or hindrances blocking the lost person’s path to salvation. While at it, be intentional about it and trust in God’s victory over darkness.
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Step 10: End With Thanksgiving.
End your prayer by thanking God, especially for the opportunity to intercede on behalf of the lost.
By expressing your gratitude to God for His goodness for all, you acknowledge His faithfulness and trust in His plan for those you are praying for. This simple act of gratitude can bring a speedy answer to your prayers.
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Step 11: Keep Praying for the Lost Regularly.
The last but not least step is to persist in praying for those you want to see come to Christ. Consistent prayer is crucial in any effort to reach the lost. So, keep praying for the lost regularly and persistently. Moreover, consistent prayer will help us develop an undying burden for the lost.
Lastly, our prayers play a significant role in demolishing strongholds and opening the hearts of the unsaved. So, continue to pray for the lost regularly, and trust God to work in their life at the right time.
Now that you know how to pray for the lost souls effectively, it’s expedient to also remember praying for the lost is not a one-time thing. It requires constant intercession and faith.
By praying effectively for the lost, we partner with God to save the souls of the lost and bring them into His kingdom. So, keep praying, trusting, and believing that God will save the person(s) you are praying for, even if they have the hardest of hearts.
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10 Prayers for the Lost
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A Prayer for Lost Souls.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for saving me and the privilege to stand in the gap for others so they would come to know you.
Today, we pray a revival prayer for the lost. We ask that you fill our hearts with faith and give us the courage to intercede for eternal purposes.
Lord, we pray for those dying without knowing your love or receiving your gift of salvation that you reveal yourself to them in a powerful way.
We ask that you use us as vessels of honor to bring the lost to Christ and help them find their way back to you.
Above all, Lord, we pray that you would ignite your fire of revival to save the lost generation and empower us never to give up praying for the lost, especially those losing and finding faith.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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Prayer for Lost Souls Perishing.
Mighty God, we pray that you stir up the heart of evangelism within us and place an enormous burden on us to intercede in prayer for the nations.
We ask for divine opportunities to share your love with those lost in sin. Also, lead us to those who need to hear the gospel of Christ at this time.
And most importantly, help us to be faithful in seeking the lost sheep and fill our hearts with joy when the lost are found, and the saved are restored.
In Jesus’ Mighty name. Amen.
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Intercessory Prayer for Lost Souls.
Dear Heavenly Father, today, we come before you asking that you fill our hearts with compassion for the lost and deceived souls in this world.
We ask for divine intervention and direction as we pray targeted prayers for the brokenhearted, those who have lost hope, and those searching for truth.
Father God, we also pray for boldness in our witness through prayer and that through our intercession, many would come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Most of all, we pray that our prayers be a powerful force that breaks down strongholds and opens the hearts of the unsaved to receive Christ.
In Jesus’ Precious name, we pray. Amen.
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Prayer for Salvation of the Lost.
Gracious Father, we pray for those who are un-churched, wandering, and spiritually blind. We ask that you shine the light of hope into their lives and draw them to yourself.
Father, we also pray for their salvation and ask that you use us to advance your kingdom and share the gospel with those who are lost.
Thank you, dear Lord, for your grace and mercy toward us and those you will bring to yourself through these prayers.
In Jesus’ Mighty name. Amen.
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Prayer for Those Who Are Lost.
Dear God, we come before your throne of grace with a passionate prayer for the lost. We ask that you seek them out and save them from condemnation. Please give them hope and cause them to experience your love and mercy.
We also pray for those who have backslidden and turned away from you that you bring them back into your loving arms. Lord, we know your heart is for the lost, and we join in your desire to see lost souls saved.
Father, make our prayers a powerful warfare against the forces of darkness that seek to keep these ones away from you.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Prayer for the Lost and Confused.
Gracious God, we lift up the lost and confused before you. We pray that you reveal your love and saving grace to them and open their hearts to receive your salvation.
Please give us the grace to be faithful intercessors, praying for the lost and seeking divine appointments to share the gospel with those you bring our way. We also pray for a great harvest of souls to come to know you through our prayers and witness.
Thank you, Father, because we trust in your mighty power to rescue and save those who are lost.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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Prayers for the Lost.
Merciful Father, we commit the lost and lonely to you, asking that you save and comfort them. We also ask that you use us as mighty instruments to share the love of Christ with those who have not heard or believed it.
Lord Jesus, we pray for the harvest of souls and that your missional purpose would be fulfilled through our prayers.
Thank you, Father, for the power of prayer for the lost and the promise that you are faithful to save even the vilest offender.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Prayers for Those Who Are Lost.
Heavenly Father, the precarious state of this lost generation raises concern. Therefore, we pray for those lost without Christ that you lovingly help them retrace their steps from the path of destruction.
As we pray, also give us a heart for the lost, and help us reconnect with those searching for hope. Lastly, guide us in helping the lost find their way back to you, and use us as instruments of your grace and love.
In Jesus’ Precious name, we pray. Amen.
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The Great Commission Prayer.
Dear Lord, we pray for the lost and broken and those searching for something more. Please help them in finding their lost purpose and calling.
Use us as intercessors for the unsaved and to share Christ’s love through evangelism and prayer. May our hearts always burdened to constantly search for the lost, and may we seek them out with your leading.
Above all, we ask that you help us be a light in the darkness and bring hope to those in need.
In Jesus’ Mighty Name, we pray. Amen.
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Spiritual Warfare Prayer for the Lost.
Sovereign Lord, with a heart for the lost, we come before your throne of grace, praying for salvation and revival. We ask that you break down the spiritual barriers preventing unbelievers from accepting your truth.
Make us kingdom-minded in our prayers and help us stay committed to reaching the lost through prayer. We also pray that you give us a heart for the lost and a passion for seeing them saved.
In Jesus’ Most Precious name, we pray. Amen.
Summary
By following the step-by-step guide in this article, you can pray for the lost effectively and purposefully. Also, remember to use Scripture as a guide for your prayers.
Also, constantly thank God for your salvation as you intercede for those still lost.
As you pray for the lost, I would like you to be encouraged by the promise of God’s word in 2 Peter 3:9, which says – The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. But he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a prayer to pray for the lost?
A prayer to pray for the lost is undoubtedly a heartfelt plea to the Lord to intervene in the life of someone who doesn’t know Him yet.
It is a supplication to God to reveal Himself to the unsaved, to open their hearts to receive the truth of the gospel of Christ and to draw them into an intimate relationship with Him.
A prayer for the lost may also include asking God for compassion, boldness, wisdom, and grace to share the message of salvation with others and for the Holy Spirit to convict and lead them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Please refer to the prayer section of this article for ten heartfelt prayers for the lost.
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What verse talks about prayer for the lost?
One Bible verse about prayer for the lost is 1 Timothy 2:4, which says – God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Others are the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son, which illustrate the joy of heaven when even one lost sinner turns to God in repentance. You can find these parables in Luke 15.
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How do you pray for something lost?
If you have lost something and are anxious or frustrated, praying for it can bring peace to your heart. Simply ask God to help you find what you have lost and trust that He will guide you to it.
You can also pray for the grace to recall where you may have left it. Remember that even amid the most difficult situations, God cares for us and is always willing to listen to our prayers and help us with whatever we may need.
So, pray with faith and trust He will help you find whatever you have lost.