POWER in PRAYER for the Lost or Wayward.

I'm burdened to share a little of personal blessing.  The verses I will share were used in the battle of prayer for my darling dad over 55 years.. in human time that's a long time. We need to remember prayer is a hard  spiritual battle... and be prepared!
(I'm sorry this post is longer than normal, as need  to go into the verses.)

Ephesians 6:10-13 is a pivotal prayer passage. 

There are a few. 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, 

that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

**** key reason why - PRAYER IS A BATTLE!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 

but against principalities, against powers, 

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, 

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, 

and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore,

 having your loins girt about with truth, 

and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith,

 wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, 

and the sword of the Spirit, 

which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, 

and watching thereunto with all perseverance 

and supplication for all saints;

NOTE it’s:

1. A spiritual battle against EVIL

2. We must be well prepared for it, to wrestle in prayer and persevere

3. Victory is sure if faithful in Christ Jesus our LORD.

Or as it is put in Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, 

but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 Casting down imaginations, 

and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,

 and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

This above is an excellent verse to pray.. for then by God's might strongholds will be torn down and thoughts will be brought into captivity to the Lord Jesus.

With Christ in us, beside us, before and behind us, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we DO have power... according to the measure of our faith.

FAITH believes, FAITH presses on in the battle.
FAITH - takes the shield of faith AND the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and wields it wisely.

These are some of the verses the LORD gave me as I fought this battle in prayer over five and a half decades for my darling dad.

If we pray the Word of God.. we know we are praying aright.

 I've many passages next to names in my prayer list and I pray those for folks.

 I believe wayward ones often need same verses often as unsaved ones.
Because of seducing ways of Satan, the evil one who holds the strongholds in their lives. 

He is the same evil power.. the same enemy we fight, for he is "as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour."

#Verse 1.

Romans 8:32 

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
A dear sister began to pray for my dad with me, praying spare him unto salvation. I pondered on this phrase and the Lord showed me this verse.

**God spared not His Son for us.

**So shall He not give us WITH HIM all things.  

So I began to pray:
"Father, You gave Your own Son's blood for darling dad, spare him, O LORD unto salvation. Let Jesus' precious blood be not shed in vain for him."

 If it seems bold it is, because it is! It is powerful.

As *Bro Mac said:

Prayer is power, it brings about the action of the ALMIGHTY.

#Verses 2 

(these are a pair of verses prayed together. 

And have really been prayed the longest.)

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

so we know God's will is they'd be saved and surrendered. Therefore:

1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, IF we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Please see the sequence.
Salvation is in accordance with His will, for which we are praying.. thus we already have these requests for which we are asking.
I started to thank the Lord for dad's salvation long before I saw it. God will give us this faith if we ask Him.
After all a mustard seed faith can move mountains Jesus said.

I came to the point where I said Lord, even if I never see it I'm going to believe you've done it! I'm trusting You and Your Word. However God in His mercy did show me. We've all heard many stories of God working in ways way far, far beyond our understanding.

A dear friend's darling mum denied and did not want to receive Christ when broached by her, yet unbeknownst to her whilst in hospital just before her passing her dear mum responded to a minister visiting. God works in ways we cannot fathom, and often do not see.. but let us take that shield of faith and believe Him at His Word.
"FAITH is the substanceof things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT seen."

#Verse 3

Romans 2:4 

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance."

Prayer: let them not O LORD despise your goodness, despise your forbearance, your longsuffering, BUT LET THEM SEE YOUR GOODNESS THAT IT MIGHT LEAD THEM TO REPENTANCE.

I saw this happen before my eyes with my dad. 

He began to see God's goodness, through many at the church group for older folk he started to attend with me and enjoy.. and perhaps my love for him, all of which reflected God's love for him. 

He went from NOT believing at all in God before this.. to believing in a creative Power, BUT NOT personal God.

Lastly in the sunset, quite literally last days of His life, it lead him to repentance as a little child. Then at last he knew the peace of God.

  #Verse 4:

Acts 26:18
"...OPEN their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me."
This verse is part of Paul's call by the Lord Jesus to witess to Israel.. so lost and wayward. It's definitely one to learn and pray daily.. I pray it for me too.. I don't want to wander! I'm no better than those for whom I pray.
******
These are but a few of ones which I pray, but they are the main verses that are REAL power before the throne of grace.
******
One more particularly is prayed for wayward ones or for those whom God is awakening..

**Psalm 40:2-3
"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it , and fear, and shall trust in the Lord ."

Literally pray that verse for Jack or Jill that "the Lord would lift them up out of that Horrible pit of unbelief.. etc."
I love the last bit.
That many shall see it and trust in the Lord. 
My praying friend and I prayed this verse for a straying couple. They now are missionaries in Africa with AIM.
Does God honour His Word when we pray it like this?!
PRAISE HIM He does.

I hope this sharing of a very personal blessing may encourage you in this battle we fight.
I have had many examples in my life of spiritual giants. *Bro Mac was one. He prayed eight hours a day over a map of the world praying for lost places, he's now with the Lord. 

The battle for him is over but not for us! we must be true and fight on!

Hymn - For the Fight is On, O Christian Soldier!
Link here also.
*****
For let us be true to the Saviour!
Praying for you dear ones. I don't know your heartaches, your burdens or see your sorrow and tears. But Jesus cares. He sorrows with you.

God is good and I pray these precious promises bless you. If it blesses you please bless me in return in a comment.

Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz. X

PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on

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