What are some examples in Scripture of praying for another person specifically for their standing with God?
I have reached a point where I'm discouraged from praying because I don't see any change or progress that it's even a Biblical thing to pray for. Most of my prayers on this have become much shorter and repetitive compared to when I started, because I just don't know what more to say or enough ways of asking for the same thing. I'm beginning to think a lot of things are simply my own imagination or that I can't take them on without failing. And, I'm afraid that I will go down a path like my mother who prayed years for my earthly father's repentance without success.
For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." ... So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. (Romans 9)
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4)
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. (Proverbs 19)
There are times when God does not grant salvation, and it doesn't seem to be something that one sinner can intercede on behalf of another. Although I'm aware of Scripture, which teaches that we should live in a manner like Christ, and "perhaps" win a lost person:
For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Cor. 7)
Even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives. (1 Peter 3)
So then is it right to pray for God's intervention, or is it vain? It seems more beneficial to pray for continued sanctification for yourself to "maximize the chance" the lost person can be won over. But my failings become more apparent and unresolvable, that I cannot represent the gospel well enough, I feel as though my mission is futile. I thought this would be the treasure Jesus was speaking of:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6)
And that Paul achieved in the church of Thessalonica:
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. (1 Thess. 2)
How am I supposed to lay up this treasure?
I have reached a point where I'm discouraged from praying because I don't see any change or progress that it's even a Biblical thing to pray for. Most of my prayers on this have become much shorter and repetitive compared to when I started, because I just don't know what more to say or enough ways of asking for the same thing. I'm beginning to think a lot of things are simply my own imagination or that I can't take them on without failing. And, I'm afraid that I will go down a path like my mother who prayed years for my earthly father's repentance without success.
For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." ... So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. (Romans 9)
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4)
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. (Proverbs 19)
There are times when God does not grant salvation, and it doesn't seem to be something that one sinner can intercede on behalf of another. Although I'm aware of Scripture, which teaches that we should live in a manner like Christ, and "perhaps" win a lost person:
For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Cor. 7)
Even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives. (1 Peter 3)
So then is it right to pray for God's intervention, or is it vain? It seems more beneficial to pray for continued sanctification for yourself to "maximize the chance" the lost person can be won over. But my failings become more apparent and unresolvable, that I cannot represent the gospel well enough, I feel as though my mission is futile. I thought this would be the treasure Jesus was speaking of:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6)
And that Paul achieved in the church of Thessalonica:
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. (1 Thess. 2)
How am I supposed to lay up this treasure?
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