Yesterday morning, I took my dog out early in the morning to let him go to the bathroom. Standing there, I watched as about a dozen folks (most walking their own dogs) passed by on the greenway behind our house. It hit me again that it’s possible—if not likely—that many of these folks may not be believers. That’s likely the case in general, since few there be that find the way to life (Matt 7:14).
What hit me most powerfully, though, was my responsibility to pray for these folks even though I did not/do not know most of them. They are all created in the image of God, loved by their Creator, and in need of a Redeemer if they don’t already know Him. As I prayed for each of them as they passed by, it’s possible I was the only person praying for each of these persons yesterday. I hope I was not the only one, but it’s indeed possible I was.
I know that reality because prior to my becoming a believer more than 50 years ago, only my 7th grade classmate/evangelist and his mom were praying for me as far as I know. I’m certain no one in my immediate or extended family was or had been praying. Only two intercessors were praying on my behalf—but God used them to grab my attention, draw me to Himself, and make me His child. How many other non-believers who do not have a gospel witness in their lives have nobody praying for them today?
Some have nobody praying. Nobody. Some, in fact, may have never had anyone pray for them.
They are destined for judgment—many having never truly heard the gospel in the first place—and no one’s lifting their faces and names (if known) to the Father. That’s why the folks walking behind our home caught my attention yesterday.
So, here’s my challenge today:
- Ask God to give you “gospel eyes” to, with godly compassion, see others as “sheep without a shepherd” this week (Matt 9:36).
- As often as possible, whisper a prayer for others you pass that (a) they will hear the gospel and turn to Christ if they have not, or that (b) they will be faithful, obedient, evangelizing believers if they are already Christians.
- Thank God for the privilege He’s given you to be the intercessor. You, too, might be the only praying for some of these folks today.
- Pray God will give you opportunity to speak the gospel to someone today (Col 4:3-4). Pray for others, but then also watch for open doors to speak.
“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them
is for their salvation.”
(Rom 10:1)
