Praying for Unsaved Loved Ones in Scripture Guidance
Scripture provides clear guidance and examples for praying for unsaved loved ones, emphasizing both the desire for their salvation and the broader Christian duty to intercede for others. The Apostle Paul, for instance, explicitly states his fervent prayer for the salvation of his kinsmen: "Brethren, my heart’s desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved" (Romans 10:1 ASV) [4]. This verse highlights a deep, personal longing for the spiritual well-being of those who do not yet believe.
The practice of praying for others, including those who are not yet believers, is rooted in broader biblical principles. Jesus himself prayed for his enemies, even as he was being crucified, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34) [5, 6]. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, similarly prayed for those who were stoning him (Acts 7:60) [5]. These examples demonstrate a Christ-like compassion that extends even to those actively hostile to the faith.
Beyond specific prayers for salvation, the Bible encourages intercession for the afflicted and those in need. While "afflicted" often refers to believers undergoing hardship, the general principle of prayer for those in distress can be extended to the spiritual affliction of being unsaved [1, 7, 8]. The Psalms also contain prayers for the rescue of "beloved ones," which can be interpreted as a plea for divine intervention on behalf of those dear to the petitioner (Psalms 60:5, 108:6) [2, 3]. John Gill, in his commentary on the Psalms, notes that such prayers can reflect a desire for God's people to not be ashamed due to the suffering of the Messiah, implying a concern for their faith and perseverance [12].
Early Christian thinkers also emphasized the importance of such prayers. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox Church Father, urged believers to "weep for these" (referring to those perishing) not just for a day or two, but "all our life," seeing such tears as springing from "true affection" and the "fear of God" [9]. He further noted that Christ himself wept for the priests of the Jews, not because they were crucifying him, but because they were perishing [11]. This perspective underscores a continuous, heartfelt intercession for the lost.
The New Testament also implies a responsibility to pray for those who might be led astray by the actions of believers. The apostle Paul warns against actions that could cause a "weak brother" to "perish," for whom Christ died (1 Corinthians 8:11) [10]. This suggests a deep concern for the spiritual state of others, extending to prayer and careful conduct. The love of the Spirit, which "diffuses through all the brotherhood," motivates believers to pray for and support the spiritual well-being of others [13].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
- Psalms “Psalms 60:5 (LEB) — so that your beloved ones may be rescued. Save by your right hand and answer us.”
- Psalms “Psalms 108:6 (LEB) — so that your beloved ones may be rescued. Save by your right hand and answer me.”
- Romans “Romans 10:1 (ASV) — Brethren, my heart’s desire and my supplication to God is for them, that they may be saved.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Enemies — Christ prayed for his -- Lu 23:34. The lives of, to be spared -- 1Sa 24:10; 2Sa 16:10,11. The goods of, to be taken care of -- Ex 23:4,5. Should be Loved. -- Mt 5:44. Prayed for. -- Ac 7:60. Assisted. -- Pr 25:21; Ro 12:20. Overcome by kindness. -- 1Sa 26:21. Rejoice not at the misfortunes of -- Job 31:29. Rejoice not at the failings of -- Pr 24:17. Desire not the death of -- 1Ki 3:11. Curse them not -- Job 31:30. Be affectionately concerned for -- Ps 35:13. The friendship of, deceitful -- 2Sa 20:9,10; Pr 26:26; 27:6; Mt 26:48,49. God defends against -- Ps ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of Christ, The — To the Father -- Ps 91:14; Joh 14:31. To his church -- Song 4:8,9; 5:1; Joh 15:9; Eph 5:24. To those who love him -- Pr 8:17; Joh 14:21. Manifested in his Coming to seek the lost. -- Lu 19:10. Praying for his enemies. -- Lu 23:34. Giving himself for us. -- Ga 2:20. Dying for us. -- Joh 15:13; 1Jo 3:16. Washing away our sins. -- Re 1:5. Interceding for us. -- Heb 7:25; 9:24. Sending the Spirit. -- Ps 68:18; Joh 16:7. Rebukes and chastisements. -- Re 3:19. Passes knowledge -- Eph 3:19. To be imitated -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. To sain”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: propriety, with gravity, not so as to make exhibitions of ourselves; let us weep for these, not one day, or two, but all our life. Such tears spring not from senseless passion, but from true affection. The other sort are of senseless passion. For this cause they are quickly quenched, whereas if they spring from the fear of God, they always abide with us. Let us weep for these; let us assist them according to our power; let us think of some assistance for them, small though it be, yet still let us assist them. How and in what way?”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 8:11: shall . . . perish--The oldest manuscripts read "perisheth." A single act seemingly unimportant may produce everlasting consequences. The weak brother loses his faith, and if he do not recover it, his salvation [BENGEL] (Rom 14:23). for whom Christ died--and for whose sake we too ought to be willing to die (Jo1 3:16). And yet professing Christians at Corinth virtually tempted their brethren to their damnation, so far were they from sacrificing aught for their salvation. Note here, that it is no argument against the dogma that Christ died for a”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: bonds. For in their behalf he grieved, being a disciple of Him that bewept the priests of the Jews; not because they were going to crucify Him, but because they were themselves perishing. And He doeth not this Himself alone, but He thus exhorteth others also, saying, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for Me.” ( Luke xxiii. 28 .) These eyes saw Paradise, saw the third heaven: but I count not them so blessed because of this sight, as because of those tears, through which they saw Christ. Blessed, indeed, was that sight; for he hims”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 69:6: Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake,.... Of their expectation of redemption and salvation by the Messiah, they have been waiting upon the Lord for; when they shall see him in suffering circumstances, and even dead and laid in the grave, without any hope of his rising again; which was the case of the two disciples travelling to Emmaus, Luk 24:19; whose trust in him, and expectation of him, as the Redeemer of Israel, were almost gone. The people of God, and believers in Christ, are described by such that "wait on the Lord"; for th”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 15:30: Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit--or, "by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit"--not the love which the Spirit bears to us, but that love which He kindles in the hearts of believers towards each other; that is "By that Saviour whose name is alike dear to all of us and whose unsearchable riches I live only to proclaim, and by that love one to another which the blessed Spirit diffuses through all the brotherhood, making the labors of Christ's servants a matter of common interes”