Praying for salvation

You have a couple things wrong. Those who hold to the biblical teaching that man has a free will to repond to God do not in fact follow Arminian. This accusation is false and a pajorative used by those who hold to regeneration before salvation.

Dear youth do not allow some of the conversation you read on this board to influence you. To refer to someone as a "Calvinist" or an "Arminian" is in direct conflict with the Word of God. Paul asked:

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?


We are not to be of men but only of Christ. The men Paul was questioning were followers of the teachings of these men. When we refer to a Christian as a "Calvanist" or "Arminian" it is a division that is ungodly because it points men toward men and not Christ. Calvin taught one thing, Arminius another but the only man we are to be of is the "Son of Man" Jesus Christ.

The other misperception you have is that those who hold to the Biblcial position that man has freee will to respond to God do so without any initiative from God. This is not a correct characterization. Man cannot come to God unless God Calls him (John 6:64, Matt 22:14). Unless God opens His eyes he cannot see or understand what is spiritual ( 1 Cor 2:14). God calls man and gives Him the opportunity to recieve Him (Matt 19:16-22). But many men reject Him (Matt 22:14). Christ died for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16). And those who answer the call and believe on Him He gives the authority to be the sons of God (John 1:12). Even in the midst of all this the credit and glory is God's alone (John 1:13) for unless the Son of God died and God revealed himself to us in our hearts we could not come to Him.

As far as praying for the lost if you do you will follow in the footsteps and example of Paul:

Romans 1;10
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

 

Hello Brother. Calvinist believe that God ordainded prayer as one of the means of accomplishing His purpose in salvation. God not only ordained that so and so would get saved, but He also ordained that we would pray that so and so would get saved. It is a wonderful privilege to be a tool in which God will use to bring His elect to faith. It is not only a privilege but a responsibility. And don't forget to pray for God's will to be done. If we do that, then we have done what God has put us here to do. We glorify God and share the good news. Grace and peace.