The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9)

We know that saving the lost is God's will because it was to save the lost that Jesus laid down His life. Therefore, knowing this, we would not pray, "God, save my mother, if it is Your will. Don't let her go to hell, if it is Your will. If it's not Your will, let her go to hell."

No! Why? Because we know God's will in the matter. God's will is His Word and it makes it clear in such scriptures as John 3:16 and Second Peter 3:9. It is God's will for men and women to be saved. Therefore, we can pray for the lost with great boldness.

Believers especially can exercise great authority in praying for the salvation of their families. I used some of the scriptures we have been studying as I prayed for my relatives. I said something like this: "This is the confidence that we have in God, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. What I am asking for is according to God's will; therefore, He hears me. That is what the Word says. And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him. Then according to the Word, I have that petition."

Then I stopped asking and started thanking God. It's amazing how it works. I don't mean that your entire family will necessarily come to the Lord overnight, but as you stand in faith, thanking God, they will come.

Confession: I can pray in faith for the lost, because I know God's will in the matter!

Source: Faith Food Devotions by Kenneth E. Hagin.
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications