In Part 1, I encouraged you to ask one simple question before you pray for another person, “Is the person you are praying for a Christian?”
The answer to that question determines what you do next.
In this article I am going to share 3 steps to follow if your answer to that question is the most common answer – I don’t know.
If you do not know whether the person you are praying for is a Christian take these steps:
1. Pray for their salvation.
The first step is to pray for their salvation if you do not know if they are saved or not. Until you know if they have a relationship with Jesus Christ, praying for salvation is the most important prayer you can say.
2. Pray for the request.
The second step is to pray for the request. I assume you are praying for this person because of a request by the person or someone who made the request on their behalf. You could be personally aware of their situation and need for prayer. Either way, pray on their behalf but understand that the most important thing you can pray about is their relationship with God.
3. Ask them.
The third step is to ask them if they are a Christian. Simply because you have prayed for their needs – does not mean your work of faith and labor of love is complete.
You need to know if they are a Christian. There is only one way to find out – ask them.
If you care enough to pray for a person (to get well, get a job, endure a problem), then care enough about them to find out if they are bound for heaven.
I assume you have some type of relationship with this person – personally or through someone you know. Be invested enough in that relationship to know the state of their soul.
So, if you have someone you are praying for and you do not know if they are saved, take these steps: Pray for their salvation, pray for the need, and then go find out.
For more guidance on praying for the salvation of others, check out "The Longest Prayer" section of Jesus: 21 Days That Can Change the Way You Pray.
