God’s sovereignty and praying for the lost

4^th of a 5-part teaching series

by Barb Kugle

You probably know people who are very vocal about their rejection of Jesus Christ. Loved ones fitting this category leave an ache in your heart. Effective prayer for lost people – in your family or in the nation – starts with an understanding of “free will”…because it puts into perspective the actual limitations God designed into the process.

What is meant by the term “free will”? Think of it like this: You cannot fly, nor can you will yourself to fly. Airplanes and butterflies were designed to fly, but you were not. The law of cause and effect is universal, scientific…and cannot be broken.

Consider the following:

1. Everything in the Universe is bound by laws. Every thought, every choice, every action was caused by something. You drink water because you’re thirsty. Did you choose to be thirsty? Even if you drink water when you are not thirsty, what motivated or moved you to drink it? In the same sense, something must cause an individual to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
2. Making choices and having free will is not the same thing. Even animals make choices, but do not have free will. Yes, you have a will, and you make choices every day. But neither of these is free will.
3. Free will is defined by the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry as “the freedom of self determination and action independent of external causes.”

What does the Bible say about free will?

• “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
• “I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.” (Jeremiah 10:23-24)
• “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44)
• “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16)
• “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Sorrow for the lost

The apostle Paul stated that he had great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart for his Jewish brethren who had rejected Christ, and he would have offered himself up as a sacrifice if it were possible (Romans 9:2-3 and 10:1). He confessed his own powerlessness, admitting that salvation depends on God’s sovereign will alone. The fact that Paul interceded on their behalf is a good indication that prayer for the lost is the Lord’s perfect and pleasing will. Remember, it was not because God knew who would believe of their own free will, for no one fits that description (Romans 3:9-12, 23; Romans 9:15-16; Romans 11:32).

Because God uses dire circumstances to bring an obstinate person to his or her knees, He understands how difficult it is for you to surrender your loved one to His will. Learning to trust His sovereignty in this gives new meaning to Philippians 2:12: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

How to pray God’s will for the lost

1. Begin by submitting your will for loved ones and other unsaved Americans, including national leaders, to His. If you don’t know His will, ask (see Romans 8:26-27; I John 5:14-15; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:9-11,105; Proverbs 12:15; Matthew 7:7; John 7:17 and 10:3-4; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 4:6; James 1:5-8; Mark 9:24).
2. The safest way to know that you are praying in God’s will is to pray His Word!
3. Pray that God will extend His mercy to the lost.
4. Ask the Lord to open their eyes to the riches of His kindness which is meant to lead them to repentance (Romans 2:4).
5. In everything and in all circumstances give thanks (Psalm 100:4; Psalms 96:2, 8).
6. In everything and all circumstances give God all the glory, all the time (Romans 5:1-2).

For further study:

Do not wait passively for answers when seeking God’s will. Read, meditate on, and memorize these verses this week…even while you wait for His intervention:

· Joshua 1:8

· John 17:17

· John 8:47

· Philippians 4:8-9

· Hebrews 4:12

· John 14:21

Barb Kugle is a freelance writer and author who has a deep passion for prayer and for repentance and revival in the nation. A member of The Presidential Prayer Team’s devotional writing team, Barb lives in southern Colorado.