Is it even Biblical to Pray for a Person’s Salvation?

[IceAndFire1328]

I would like to start a new thread based on this article. The original can be found at:

[edit by Chad: do not post links, read forum rules]
(Use by permission of author)

Is it even Biblical to Pray for a Person’s Salvation?

Recently, someone told me that it is not Biblical to pray for someone’s salvation. He said that the Bible instructs us to pray for more laborers, but it never instructs us to pray for the salvation of a specific individual. This got me curious, so I started taking a closer look at this subject. When I asked others about their thoughts, I got responses ranging from, “Yes, of course. God desires that we intervene on the behalf of others,” all the way to, “Definitely no; what ARROGANCE!!!!”

The Bible, of course, has to be our final authority. So, what does it say? ….

[NOTE: I did not include the rest of the article because of its length. It is, however, very important to read the rest of the article to understand the discussion being made on this thread. The article can be found at: [edit by Chad: do not post links, read forum rules]

 

[Boanerges]

How a
about this:
Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Tell your friend to let go of being so technical about his walk and to pray for whom and what the Holy Spirit leads him to.

 

[spirit1st]

It is GOD Perfect Will for All mankind to be SAVED !

So we are not doing evil praying for others! But we might not say much to others , because it might not be the time for them to be saved ?
We need to ASK the Holy Ghost to fill out mouth with the words we should speak !

Once i thought i was able to lead anyone to the LORD ! I was visiting people in Miami, Fl. I told my wife i was going out to lead others to the LORD ! I walked out and up to a man watering His yard ! I tried to speak but only messed out words came out ! The man thought i was nuts ?

I ASKED the LORD too forgive me , knowing it was not when i thought things should be ! It taught me a Good lesson i never forgotten ! Not mine Will , But HIS WILL !

I hope others can understand this ?

 

[james1523]

To the contrary, we are told to pray for ALL people, especially those in authority, even if they are most pagan corrupt Roman Emperor.. and why? because God wants all people to be saved. 1 Tim 2:1-4 says we pray for all people because God wants all people to be saved, as spirit1st also said. It is wrong, to *not* pray for others, Matt 5:44 pray for our enemies.. and technically.. all unbelievers by default are our enemies since they are on the side of darkness and satan.

1 Tim 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--
for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

We pray with purpose, and we pray God's will. Prayer in essence is simply praying God's will back to God. He already has planned and willed to do it, He just wants our cooperation and permission to release His will on the Earth. If we pray for someone's salvation.. we want that person saved because God wants that person saved.. their own comfort and well being is secondary to God's purpose. Not, "Lord, save this person because I don't want them to go to hell", but "Lord, save this person because it is your will for them to be saved, you have made it possible because of Christ's work on the cross, and you have called them and predestined them according to your purpose to be conformed to the image of Christ, to be a member of your Body and Bride, to be built as a spiritual and living stone into the house of God".

 

[B-A-C]

Recently, someone told me that it is not Biblical to pray for someone’s salvation.

Rom 9:31; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.
Rom 9:32; Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
Rom 9:33; just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
Rom 10:1; Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

Paul prayed for others salvation.

John 17:5; "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
John 17:6; "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
John 17:7; "Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You;
John 17:8; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.
John 17:9; "I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours;
John 17:10; and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.
John 17:11; "I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.
John 17:12; "While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
John 17:13; "But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.

Jesus prayed to the Father "that they may have [His] joy made full in themselves.

Matt 5:44; "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Admittedly this one doesn't specifically say salvation. But I doubt we are supposed to pray for bad things to happen to them.
So, what should we pray for them?

2 Thes 3:1; Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
Apparently they were saved by "the word of the Lord", and they were told to pray that this would happen to others "just as it did with you".

I'm sure I can find a few more, but it's late, maybe I'll try again tomorrow.