Featured Non-Cals prayer for Non-Believers

Calivinists know that the Lord will indeed open the herats/minds of those Jesus died to atone for their sins, so what confidence would a real non -cal have in coming to God with this request?

Clarrification question...

Are you assuming here that many arminians would still boldly ask God to save sinners, but those holding to more "free will" salvation are asking differently?

 

I believe they pray the exact same way a non-cal prays. If you ever listen to John MacArthur, he preaches and prays just like an Arminian, yet he insist YULIP is correct.

 

I dont pray for them.

 

what is YULIP?

 

Aren't we to pray for all sinners, knowing God will save some of them?

 

Hmmm...I am wondering if some can also tell us how they walk down the street or eat spaghetti.

 

Well, while I believe in free will, and do not believe God can force anyone to believe, that is not to say I do not believe God can cause circumstances in a person's life that would encourage them to believe. An example is the prodigal son, wasting away all his wealth, a famine coming upon that land, being joined to a citizen of that far country, and being sent into the fields to feed his swine certainly seemed to have a profound effect on him. (Luk 15:13-19)

Now, I don't pretend to know what circumstances would lead one to repentance. It might not have to be something bad such as losing all your money and being forced to eat corn husks as the prodigal son. I leave that up to God who is much wiser than I am. But I do pray that God would bring about those circumstances that would encourage this person to repent.

I also pray that God would be patient and long-suffering with this person. I do believe God is very patient and long-suffering, but the book of Romans shows there is a point where God gives a person "up" or "over" to a reprobate mind. (Rom 1:24-28). I believe this is when God simply withdraws his influence toward this person and leaves them to destroy themselves. A very terrible place to be in.

We also see this in Revelation 2 where God gave Jezebel "space to repent" but she repented not.

Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

So, I do pray that God would be very patient and long-suffering with those who are obviously rebellious toward God.

This is how I pray as concerning the lost.

 

You are welcome Tim.

 

Reminds me of one of Yogi Berra's famous quotes;

You have to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, or you might not get there. :laugh:

 

Whats this all business.... I pray for Gods sheep (lost or otherwise)....for the ones God has selected. What does it matter about the reprobate?

God is my Father. I am adopted. I know Him. I have an entrance & I want to go there in prayer. I want to speak to Him & I want to know Him. What possibly can my praying for a reprobate do, who has zero chance of knowing God ever, so what would prayer do for the reprobate?

I mean, you cannot pray up their salvation. That is entirely dependent upon God. If you as a believer are to pray to the Father, it is to constantly be in accord with Him....to constantly be in His presence & good graces. The reprobate doesnt want any of that & would reject it if offered.

So what do we want to do for the poor unfortunate reprobate.....ah yes, lets have an evangelistic campaign & bring them to Christ.......RIGHT, LOL! And thats exactly what they do.

 

If Calvinism is true, who is to be saved and who is not was determined before the foundation of the world, your prayer is absolutely vain, it cannot change anything.

 

Im not a Calvinist.