Introduction: Perhaps the greatest agony and challenge for any Christian is having loved ones whom you care so much for on a path to Hell (Proverbs 16:25). Jesus said, “Unless you are born again, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). The Bible teaches that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages (outcome) of sin is (spiritual) death” (Romans 6:23).


The unsaved usually fall into 3 categories:

Those who think they are saved (going to Heaven)
Those who do not want to be saved
Those who used to be saved (and are backslidden)

The following is a strategy of prayer for your friends and loved ones to realize their sin, repent of their sin and lifestyle; and receive Jesus (not just believe in Jesus) into their lives.


1. The picture of unsaved children – 2Samuel 21:1-10


We see 3 things in this unusual story:
a. The death of the sons was an atonement – v3

b. The death of the sons was an appeasement – v6

c. The death of the sons was analogous – v10

What can we learn from Rizpah?
(1) We too must exercise prolonged prayer – v10a
(She kept a 6 month vigil)

(2) We too must seize protective prayer – v10b
(a) The birds are symbolic of evil spirits

(b) The beasts are symbolic of evil people
(both must be prayed off of our sons and daughters!)

2. The problem in unequally yoked marriages – 1Corinthians 7:12-17

Let’s consider 3 things:
a. The case of division in the home – 1Corinthians 7:12-14

(1) The rule – 1Corinthians 7:12-13

(a) When one has an unbelieving wife – v12
(b) When one has an unbelieving husband – v13

Note: If the unbelieving spouse chooses to “stay” or live in the house they must continue to function as a husband or wife in a faithful manner, not persisting in a lifestyle of immorality, addiction or abuse.

(2) The reason – 1Corinthians 7:14
(a) The sanctity of their partnership ensured – v14a
(b) The sanctity of their parenthood ensured – v14b
“otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy” This means that the saved parent can begin to influence the children by example, prayer and the anointing and presence of the Holy Spirit.

b. The case of defection in the home – 1Corinthians 7:15

(1) The principle of acceptance – v15a
The word “bondage” here is “dedoulotai” which means the one abandoned is in virtual widowhood and presumably free to marry again.
(2) The principle of accord – v15b

c. The call for diligence in the home – v16

Two things can lead to their salvation:
Prayer

Lifestyle

3. The paradox of unsaved children (raised in a Christian home) – Proverbs 22:6

Let’s consider three very important things:
a. The Word of God

(1) Proverbs 22:6 is not an irrevocable promise made by God to anyone. It is conditional upon the obedience to God and the parents.
(2) Proverbs 2:1-5 sets those conditions
“My son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding. If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
(3) Ezekiel 18:4-18 A good father (vv4-9) can have a bad son (vv10-13) and a bad father can have a good son (vv14-18). We can apply that the saved parent can have an unsaved child and unsaved parent can have a saved child.
(4) Remember, God Himself lost His first two children for a season.
(5) There is too much false guilt going on in the church today with parents.
b. The wisdom of God – What can I do now?

(1) Live the Word – if I’m not under authority, why should my son be under my authority? – Romans 13:1-2

(2) Check your motives – am I concerned about my reputation or his needs?
(3) Do not reject your child – unconditional love
(4) Accept your child and affirm him/her while correcting their behavior.
(5) Control your anger – Ephesians 6:4; 4:29

(6) Relinquish your rights over them as they get older.
Teach them to take ownership of their choices.
(7) Ask God for a sensitive spirit.




c. The wellness from God – how can I stop hurting?


(1) Stay open to fellowship with other Christians; especially the Pastors.
(2) Distinguish between false and real guilt
(3) Accept God’s forgiveness
(4) Hold on to hope in faith
(5) Read Psalms 139:7-11, 17-18, 23-24 and substitute your name for “I” and “me”.

4. The prayers for unsaved children

Let’s initiate a 3-fold prayer strategy
a. Pray for the pliability of the heart – Luke 6:47-48

(1) Pray for their coming
(a) To our church
(b) To our home
(c) To ask for advice

(2) Pray for their hearing
(a) For them to hear with humility
(b) Not passively
(3) Pray for their doing

(a) Doing or obeying the Word – James 1:22

(b) Pray against self-deception

(4) Pray for their building

(a) That they may desire to build their life
(b) That they may digpast sin and flesh
(c) That they may make decisions (foundation) on Jesus and His Word (Rock)

b. Pray for the preparation of the heart – Luke 8:11-15

(1) Pray against the aborted reaction – that the Word of God not be stolen – v12
(2) Pray against the abbreviated reaction – that the Word of God not fall on shallow ground – v13
(3) Pray against the asphyxiated reaction – that the Word of God not be strangled – v14

That the pains of life not choke off Christ
That the possessions in life not choke off Christ
That the pleasures of life not choke off Christ

(4) Pray for abundant reaction – that the Word of God be successful – v15

c. Pray for the revelation in the heart – 2Timothy 2:23-26

(1) The acuity (perceptual keenness) of this prayer vv23-24
(2) The attitude of this prayer – vv24b-25c
(3) The action with this prayer – v25b
(4) The aim for this prayer – v25c-26a

(a) Repentance – “….if God perhaps…..repentance”
(b) Realization – “…..so that they may know the truth” Luke 15:17 – “But when he (the Prodigal Son) came to himself…”

(c) Recovery – “….and that they may come to their senses…”

(5) The adversary of this prayer – v26b, c “….and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will”

5. The promises to claim for unsaved children

a. Jeremiah 31:17 “There is a hope in your future, says the Lord, that your children shall come back to their own border”
b. Isaiah 49:24-25 “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the Lord, even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away. And the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children”
c. Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household: