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Featured Should Christians Pray for the Lost?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Scarlett O., Apr 14, 2020.

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  1. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    I have lost people that I pray for with regularity.
    • gay people
    • "good" people who go to church but are not saved
    • students/former students who are living depraved lives [from Christian schools and public schools]
    • specifically five former students who are Muslim [some of the most well-behaved, smart, and hard-working students I've ever had, but are bound for hell as they do not know Christ]
    • and more....lots more
    Reading some people's posts yesterday and today who profess that we are NOT to pray for the lost gave me great pause. I've always been taught that we ARE to pray for them to be delivered from evil, for God to draw them to Himself, and to be saved. I've never been taught anything else.

    So, I've answered my own question from the Bible.

    Should Christians pray for lost and hell/bound people?
    • Luke 23:34 = [Jesus praying for the forgiveness of those killing him.] = "And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

    • Acts 7:59-60 = [Stephen praying for the forgiveness those killing him] = "And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord, receive my spirit.' And falling to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them...'"

    • Romans 10:1 = [Paul explaining that he prays for the salvation of his lost Jewish brethren] = "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved."

    • Matthew 9:37-38 = [Jesus telling people to pray that God will send workers for the "harvest"] = "Then he said to his disciple, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

    • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 = [Paul urging Christians via Timothy to pray for all people because God desires all people to be saved] = " First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

    • Matthew 5:44 = [Jesus teaching we are to pray for our "enemies" and those that persecute us] = "But I say to you, 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...'"

    The only conclusion I can draw is that I am SUPPOSED to pray for lost people - no matter their sin, depravity, or abomination - because the Bible says I am supposed to.
     
    #1 Scarlett O., Apr 14, 2020
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  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    You bet we are
     
    #2 Revmitchell, Apr 14, 2020
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  3. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Let me guess...Calvinists?

    In addition to the verses you provided, there is this:

    Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”--Luke 15:10

    How can we NOT pray for sinners to repent?
     
    #3 InTheLight, Apr 14, 2020
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  4. HatedByAll

    HatedByAll Active Member

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    On the other post, the member who said not to pray for the lost supported their position by quoting Jesus where He prayed I pray for those you gave Me, not the world. . .

    Yes, Jesus can pray that, He knows who the Father called.

    Not one of us Christians still on earth do.

    Sent from my SM-G930R7 using Tapatalk
     
    #4 HatedByAll, Apr 14, 2020
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  5. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Jesus was praying for his disciples there. I don't know how clearer that could be.

    So what about Paul praying for the lost and Stephen praying for the lost and Christ asking us to do the same?

    I gave those scriptures, too.
     
    #5 Scarlett O., Apr 14, 2020
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  6. Reformed1689

    Reformed1689 Well-Known Member

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    Who said we aren't to pray for the lost????
     
    #6 Reformed1689, Apr 14, 2020
  7. Reformed1689

    Reformed1689 Well-Known Member

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    That is not a Calvinist issue.
     
    #7 Reformed1689, Apr 14, 2020
  8. HatedByAll

    HatedByAll Active Member

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    Scarlett, my statement does not in any way contradict anything in your post. I am just saying that we should pray for the lost if for no other reason than it is a fact that we don't know who God will call in the future. Our part is to pray for all.

    Sent from my SM-G930R7 using Tapatalk
     
    #8 HatedByAll, Apr 14, 2020
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  9. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    #9 InTheLight, Apr 14, 2020
  10. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Yet the person stating we're not to pray for the lost is a Calvinist.
     
    #10 InTheLight, Apr 14, 2020
  11. Reformed1689

    Reformed1689 Well-Known Member

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    Yes, but then you go and paint a broad brush. It's not a Calvinist issue and you know it.
     
    #11 Reformed1689, Apr 14, 2020
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  12. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    I know plenty of folks who hold to reformed doctrine who pray for the lost and would completely reject the idea that we shouldnt.
     
    #12 Revmitchell, Apr 14, 2020
  13. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    I wasn't speaking of reformed people. I was speaking of one who said there was no scripture guiding us to pray to the lost [that he could find] and one who took me to task for praying for the lost.
     
    #13 Scarlett O., Apr 14, 2020
  14. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    But it brings up an interesting point. Why would a Calvinist pray for the Salvation of a lost person. Its completely illogical to do so.
     
    #14 Reynolds, Apr 14, 2020
  15. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    I do too, but I cant figure out why.
     
    #15 Reynolds, Apr 14, 2020
  16. Reformed1689

    Reformed1689 Well-Known Member

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    No it's not, just means you don't understand our position.
     
    #16 Reformed1689, Apr 14, 2020
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  17. Roy

    Roy <img src=/0710.gif>
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    Scolding mature, adult, Christian believers (as if they were a classroom full of misbehaving juvies) for their expressed indignation of Sodomy on parade was inappropriate. You don't know their hearts nor their prayer lives.
    Maybe that is all that I should have said yesterday, on that other thread, instead of everything else.

    About Exodus

    In addition to prayer, if anyone has a true Christian passion for homosexual deliverance, there are organizations out there that are dedicated to that purpose. I don't know anything more about Exodous Global Alliance than what I saw on the Web, but it might be an organization worth supporting. I think that American Family Association also offers resources for homosexuals seeking reform.
     
    #17 Roy, Apr 15, 2020
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  18. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Understand your illogical position quite well.

    Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
     
    #18 InTheLight, Apr 15, 2020
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  19. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    The old ignorance accusation. All who disagree with Calvinism are ignorant. I understand your position. I understand Calvinism. I know several reasons calvinists give for why they do it. My point is you can not show me the logic of why you pray for the salvation of the lost.
     
    #19 Reynolds, Apr 15, 2020
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  20. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    That's a #5 on my list of faulty arguments used by Calvinists.

    #5.YOU ARE NOT SMART ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE
     
    #20 InTheLight, Apr 15, 2020
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