Praying For and With Unbelieving Family Members

With the holidays around the corner, most of us have heard the following declaration from a family member, “We will not talk politics or religion.” It’s supposed to ensure that the meal or celebration goes off without drama or division. But Jesus Christ calls us to a more important declaration of praying for our family members who do not believe in Him. The biblical passage, Mark 6:4, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house,” highlights the challenge of reaching loved ones with the Gospel.

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool that can be used to bring unbelieving family members closer to God. By praying for their salvation, we demonstrate our love for them and our desire to see them experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing Jesus. Even a simple grace before the meal or in thanksgiving for family being together sets a small but important example of how much is owed the Creator through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Biblical Examples of Prayer

The Bible is filled with examples of people praying for their loved ones. Jacob prayed for his sons in Genesis 32:9-12, and Paul prayed for his unbelieving relatives in Romans 1:10-12. These examples show us that even in the face of opposition, we should never give up hope.

A Prayer for Unbelieving Family Members

Heavenly Father, we come before You today to pray for our family members who do not believe in Jesus Christ. We ask that You soften their hearts and open their eyes to the truth of Your Word. We pray that they will experience Your love and grace, and that they will come to know You as their personal Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.