Should Christians Pray for the Lost?

[Reynolds]

God will save His elect, but they won't be saved without prayer. Go figure.

We pray because God is sovereign. If He were not, there wouldn't be much point in praying to Him. "Do your best, Lord! I know you can't override his stubborn heart, but could you maybe try?"

Your point?

 

[Reformed1689]

Man does need to pray for the salvation of others. God is plain about that. When you try to reconcile that to Calvinism is where it becomes illogical.

No. The logic is that we do not know who is or who is not elect. We pray because we are commanded to. So are you saying it is illogical to follow the commands of God?

 

[Reformed1689]

By grace through faith.

Right the faith that is given to us because of grace. By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.

 

[Particular]

You just falsely assumed Paul was a Calvinist. Paul prayed as he did because He knew his prayers were effective.
Why would any Calvinist pray for God to save anyone? Why not just pray for yourself to be changed.

Paul wrote what God inspired him to write. What I believe is not from John Calvin. It is from God, written down for us by Paul and the other inspired authors of the Bible. The evidence is in scripture.
You want to take it out of the Bible and force it into John Calvin's writings. I have not read much of Calvin's writings. I have read the Bible. What I believe is also what Paul the Apostle taught.
Why would Paul pray for God to save anyone? Why not just pray for himself to be changed?

In fact, we see Paul praying that he might be changed. We see that dialogue in Romans 7 and 8. We also see Paul pray for the lost and for the elect.

Reynolds, you are asking the wrong question. It's not "why" pray... it's "For what purpose" do I pray.

The purpose is that I may be made more and more in the likeness of my King, Jesus.

 

[Particular]

Silly? You want to talk about positions, use the terms.

You are making them up in your own mind.
Let us explore God's word together rather than waste time on your labels.

 

[Yeshua1]

Do you think God changed because Hezekiah prayed?
I think God chose to fulfill Hezekiah's prayer because Hezekiah's prayer aligned with God's will.

Numbers 23:19!

 

[Yeshua1]

The historical Calvinists admit flaws with the doctrine. It is very recently that Calvinists have decided their doctrine is perfect.

Not perfect, but in the area of Sotierology, best explanation of how God operates in salvation process!

 

[Yeshua1]

I asked God to heal my Father of pancreatic cancer. God did not heal his cancer.
If I took your verses outside of the context of God's word, I would be disappointed in God and thought he failed to do what I asked. Essentially I would say God broke his promise. But, God never fails his promise. Therefore, there must be more than your few sentences.

If your Father knew Christ, God answered with ultimate healing!

 

[Yeshua1]

So,God needs you? He cant accomplish His will without you. You make God impotent.(Thats what the cals always tell me anyway)

I am not a hyper Cal, as God has ordained to work out His plans and purposes concerning salvation thru prayers and by the Gospel taught!

 

[Yeshua1]

It is logical because we are commanded to pray for the lost and to evangelize.

God has ordained those into His purpose and plan of affecting salvation

 

[Yeshua1]

Man does need to pray for the salvation of others. God is plain about that. When you try to reconcile that toyou bring that up to Hyper Calvinist, which I am not! Calvinism is where it becomes illogical.

Only if you bring this up to a Hyper Cal, which I am not!

 

[Reynolds]

No. The logic is that we do not know who is or who is not elect. We pray because we are commanded to. So are you saying it is illogical to follow the commands of God?

No. I am saying Gods command is plain. It can not logically be reconciled to your belief system, thus your belief system is illogical.

 

[Reformed1689]

No. I am saying Gods command is plain. It can not logically be reconciled to your belief system, thus your belief system is illogical.

Part of our belief system is that we do what God commands. So no, it is no unable to be reconciled logically.

 

[Reynolds]

Right the faith that is given to us because of grace. By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.

The application of that all hinges on interpretation of the scriptures surrounding "i".

 

[Reynolds]

Part of our belief system is that we do what God commands. So no, it is no unable to be reconciled logically.

His command make your belief illogical.

 

[Reynolds]

You are making them up in your own mind.
Let us explore God's word together rather than waste time on your labels.

I can assure you I didnt make up the terms.

 

[Reynolds]

Not perfect, but in the area of Sotierology, best explanation of how God operates in salvation process!

As long as we agree on imperfection.

 

[Reynolds]

I am not a hyper Cal, as God has ordained to work out His plans and purposes concerning salvation thru prayers and by the Gospel taught!

I agree, but reconciling that to Calvinism trashes logic.

 

[Reynolds]

Only if you bring this up to a Hyper Cal, which I am not!

The Hyper Cal is actually logical on this point.

 

[Reformed1689]

His command make your belief illogical.

And we are back to you just don't understand our position.

We don't question God. God tells us he has already chosen who to save so I believe it. He commands us to pray for the lost so I do it. End of story.