It can be very upsetting when someone we care about is not a follower of Christ. One of the most effective and kind ways we may express our concern for unsaved loved ones is by praying for them. By praying for them, we ask the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts, let them see the truth, and bring them nearer to redemption.
It is an act of love and trust to lift a loved one to God in prayer, whether they be a spouse, child, parent, or friend. Bible scriptures and sincere prayers are included in this book to assist you in standing in the gap for people you care about and to bolster your hope.
Why Praying for Unsaved Loved Ones Matters to God
The salvation of every soul is vitally important to God. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” as the Bible reminds us in 2 Peter 3:9. We line our hearts with God’s desire and take part in His redeeming work when we pray for our unsaved loved ones.
A potent spiritual practice that softens stony hearts, calls for divine intervention, and prepares the path for experiences with Christ is intercessory prayer. Your steadfast prayers have the power to pull someone from the dark into the light of God’s love and truth.
How to Pray Effectively for the Salvation of Family and Friends
Having a heart full of compassion, faith, and perseverance is the first step in praying effectively for your loved ones’ salvation. Begin by pleading with the Holy Spirit to persuade and lead them to Jesus (John 16:8). Build your prayers on the Bible; passages such as Ezekiel 36:26, which states, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you,” can be potent proclamations.
Ask for particular things in your prayers, such as the eradication of spiritual blindness, softened hearts, and supernatural encounters. God may bring laborers into their lives to spread the gospel, so pray for them as well (Matthew 9:38).
Prayers for Unsaved Loved Ones
Here are 25 heartfelt prayers for unsaved loved ones, each paired with a Bible verse to strengthen your faith and guide your intercession:
Prayer for God to Soften Their Heart
Prayer: “Lord, take away the heart of stone and give my loved one a heart of flesh that responds to You.”
Scripture: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” – Ezekiel 36:26
Prayer for Eyes to Be Opened
Prayer: “Father, open their spiritual eyes to see the truth of the Gospel.”
Scripture: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” – Psalm 119:18
Prayer for the Holy Spirit’s Conviction
Prayer: “Holy Spirit, lovingly convict them of sin and draw them to Jesus.”
Scripture: “He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” – John 16:8
Prayer for Protection from Deception
Prayer: “Lord, break every lie and deception that blinds them from knowing You.”
Scripture: “The god of this world has blinded the minds… lest the light of the gospel… should shine.” – 2 Corinthians 4:4
Prayer for Salvation to Come Quickly
Prayer: “God, let today be the day of their salvation.”
Scripture: “Now is the day of salvation.” – 2 Corinthians 6:2
Prayer for Laborers to Reach Them
Prayer: “Send godly people into their life to share the truth with love.”
Scripture: “Ask the Lord of the harvest… to send out workers.” – Matthew 9:38
Prayer for a Divine Encounter
Prayer: “Lord, reveal Yourself to them in a personal and undeniable way.”
Scripture: “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” – Isaiah 65:1
Prayer for Deliverance from Darkness
Prayer: “Rescue them from the kingdom of darkness and bring them into Your light.”
Scripture: “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness.” – Colossians 1:13
Prayer for a Change of Mind (Repentance)
Prayer: “Lord, grant them a spirit of repentance and transformation.”
Scripture: “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” – Romans 2:4
Prayer to Remove Pride
Prayer: “Break down every wall of pride that keeps them from surrendering to You.”
Scripture: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – James 4:6
Prayer for a Hunger for Truth
Prayer: “Place a deep hunger in them to seek truth and find You.”
Scripture: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” – Matthew 5:6
Prayer for Peace to Replace Turmoil
Prayer: “Let Your peace fill their hearts and lead them to You.”
Scripture: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast.” – Isaiah 26:3
Prayer for a Humble Spirit
Prayer: “Lord, give them the humility to acknowledge their need for a Savior.”
Scripture: “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:4
Prayer for Divine Timing
Prayer: “Lord, orchestrate every moment and season to draw them closer to You.”
Scripture: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Prayer to Break Generational Strongholds
Prayer: “Break every generational curse or pattern keeping them bound.”
Scripture: “The anointing… shall break the yoke.” – Isaiah 10:27
Prayer for Boldness to Confess Christ
Prayer: “Give them the courage to confess Jesus as Lord.”
Scripture: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’… you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
Prayer for Faith to Rise in Their Heart
Prayer: “Let faith rise in their heart to believe in Jesus fully.”
Scripture: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17
Prayer for Forgiveness and Healing
Prayer: “Heal the wounds and past hurts that keep them from trusting You.”
Scripture: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
Prayer for God’s Love to Be Revealed
Prayer: “Let them experience the overwhelming love of Christ.”
Scripture: “We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Prayer for Freedom from Bondage
Prayer: “Set them free from addiction, bondage, and sin that entraps them.”
Scripture: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36
Prayer for a New Identity in Christ
Prayer: “May they know who they are in Christ and be transformed.”
Scripture: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Prayer for God’s Mercy
Prayer: “Have mercy on them, Lord, and remember Your grace.”
Scripture: “But because of His great love for us, God… made us alive with Christ.” – Ephesians 2:4-5
Prayer for Spiritual Hunger
Prayer: “Lord, stir a hunger in their soul that only You can satisfy.”
Scripture: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word… from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4
Prayer for Eternal Life
Prayer: “Let them receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus.”
Scripture: “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 6:23
Prayer for a Testimony of Transformation
Prayer: “Turn their story into a powerful testimony of Your grace.”
Scripture: “They overcame… by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” – Revelation 12:11
Summary
One of the most potent and compassionate things we can do is to pray for the salvation of our unsaved loved ones. These 25 sincere requests asking God to soften hearts, remove spiritual blindness, and lead our friends and family to Christ are based on God’s Word.
Scripture supports each prayer by serving as a reminder that God wants everyone to be rescued (1 Timothy 2:4) and that His Word will not be vain (Isaiah 55:11). As you continue to pray, have faith that God is transforming, saving, and giving those you care about eternal life in the background.
