Praying for your list of three people who don't believe
Talking to someone about Jesus is often intimidating. Praying for them is much less so. And that is where the Bible starts: before speaking to people about God, we speak to God about people. This quest offers you a simple habit: a list of three non-believers, and a prayer for them.
What it looks like in your day
Start by writing three first names. People you rub shoulders with, whom you love or who matter in your life: a family member, a colleague, a friend, a neighbor. No need to think of “the hardest case”: take those who come to you naturally.
Then, keep this list where you will see it: in your Bible, on your fridge, in your phone's notes. Every day, take two minutes to pray for them. Here are some ideas for requests:
- For their concrete life. Health, work, family, peace of heart. You often know what they are going through.
- For their heart. That they would thirst for truth, that they would ask questions, that God would speak to them in a way they can hear.
- For encounters. That God would put people, books, experiences on their path that speak of him.
- For you. That you would be a faithful, attentive friend, without pressure, and that you would recognize opportunities.
One possible prayer: “Lord, I bring Thomas, Inès and my neighbor Paul to you. You love them better than I do. Take care of them. Speak to them in your way. And show me how to love them today.”
If you are short on time, one sentence per first name is enough. If you are shy about evangelism, this is the best starting point: nobody needs to know that you are praying. Keep your list alive: replace a name if the situation changes.
What the Bible says
Paul writes to Timothy that God desires the salvation of all people:
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
This desire of God is the foundation of prayer for non-believers: you aren't praying to convince a reluctant God, but to join a God who already wants to reach them. Peter also says it with great gentleness:
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
“Longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish”: God's patience is an invitation, and yours can reflect it. Finally, Paul asks the church in Colossae to pray that God would open doors for the proclamation of the Gospel (Colossians 4:3), and he himself prayed fervently for the salvation of his own people (Romans 10:1).
Pitfalls to avoid
Praying for the other person to “fall”. Some prayers have a fighting tone: “Lord, force him to believe.” God compels no one. Ask him to touch, enlighten, draw, and leave the way to him.
Reducing the person to a project. Your friend is not a conversion file. You love them for themselves, whether they believe or not. A friendship that dies if the other person doesn't convert wasn't friendship.
Getting discouraged. Some prayers wait years before receiving a visible answer. In the Bible as today, conversion is often a long road. Keep going.
Forgetting your own part. If you pray for someone, let God also open your eyes to your opportunities to act: a phone call, a meal, a favor. Prayer and love go hand in hand.
Talking about your list. Keep it discreet. If one of the people learned of it, they might feel judged.
Today, write three first names and pray for them, one by one, with a specific request.