Q: How do I pray for a loved one who doesn’t know Jesus?

When you pray for your loved ones, approach God confident of this:
God loves them even more than you do. His will is that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). That includes your loved ones.
A major factor in anyone’s salvation is the influence of believers. Jesus instructed us to “pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields” (Luke 10:2). Start by praying the Lord would send forth the perfect person to share the good news in a way your loved one will listen and understand. As you pray for your loved ones, your prayer opens the door for God’s power to work in their lives (James 5:16). No matter who you are praying for, never be moved by what you see. Walk by faith, not by sight. The Word of God will always work.
Here is a sample prayer for your loved one:
“Father, Your Word says that You desire all people to be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth, so I bring before You this day.
“I break the power of Satan from his assignments and activities in ’s life in the Name of Jesus. I ask that You send forth the perfect people to share the good news of the gospel in such a way that will listen and understand it. As the truth is ministered, I believe will open his (her) eyes to the gospel, come out of the snare of the devil and make Jesus Lord.
“Father, I ask that You fill with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. As I pray for him (her), I believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is activated and from this moment on, I shall praise and thank You for ’s salvation. I am confident that You are alert and active, watching over Your Word to perform it.
“Therefore, my confession of faith is, ‘God has begun a good work in _’s life and He will perform it and bring it to full completion until the day of Jesus Christ, in Jesus’ Name.’”
Contributor: Luz Tongco from material for True Life Retreat, CCF Cebu