Praying for “Stuck” Christians

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Do you have Christians in your home church or family who are stuck in carnality, legalism, doubt, bitterness, cynicism, fear, etc.?

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Do you have Christians in your home church or family who are stuck in carnality, legalism, doubt, bitterness, cynicism, fear, etc.? Do you usually alternate between trying to persuade them, being frustrated with them, & trying not to think about them?

Praying for “Stuck” Christians “The spiritual leader will be alert to the most effective way to influence people. Hudson Taylor is well known for his expression, ‘It is possible to move men, through God, by prayer alone.’ During his missionary career he demonstrated the truth of his claim a thousand times . . .

Praying for “Stuck” Christians “. . . It is one thing to believe such power is available, but another thing to practice it. People are difficult to move; it is much easier to pray for things or provisions than to deal with the stubbornness of the human heart. But in just these intricate situations the leader must use God’s power to move human hearts in the direction he believes to be the will of God. Through prayer the leader has the key to that complicated lock.” Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, “The Leader & His Praying”

Praying for “Stuck” Christians 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.

Praying for “Stuck” Christians 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.

Praying for “Stuck” Christians James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much . . . 19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Praying for “Stuck” Christians James 5:16 . . . The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit . . .

Praying for “Stuck” Christians 2 Timothy 2:24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Praying for “Stuck” Christians

Praying for “Stuck” Christians “Praying is the most powerful thing we do on earth. Let us be faithful at it . . . It may be prayer for the repentance of a child or of a fellow Christian under the grip of Satan. People may not be open to listen to us when we advise them . . . But we can take the battle to a higher plane. We can fight Satan, who holds them in his grip, so that the grip will be loosened and they will be less resistant to the wooing of God’s Spirit.” Ajith Fernando, Spiritual Living in a Secular World (Zondervan, 1993), p. 153.

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Our prayers don’t make “stuck” Christians repent, but they do make it more difficult for them to not repent.

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Ephesians 6:17 And take the . . . sword of the Spirit, which is the word (rhema) of God – 18 With all prayer and petition praying at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints . . .

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Ephesians 6:17 And take the . . . sword of the Spirit, which is the word (rhema) of God – 18 With all prayer and petition praying at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints . . .

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you (plural) like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you (singular), that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Praying for “Stuck” Christians 1 Samuel 12:22 “For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.”

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Ask God to give you 1 or 2 people & pray for them recurrently

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Ask God to give you 1 or 2 people & pray for them recurrently Do most of this prayer “in secret”

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Ask God to give you 1 or 2 people & pray for them recurrently Do most of this prayer “in secret” Ask the Spirit to strengthen you, guide you & give you scriptures

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Ask God to give you 1 or 2 people & pray for them recurrently Do most of this prayer “in secret” Ask the Spirit to strengthen you, guide you & give you scriptures Don’t try to persuade or counsel God – pray like Mary in Jn. 2

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Ask God to give you 1 or 2 people & pray for them recurrently Do most of this prayer “in secret” Ask the Spirit to strengthen you, guide you & give you scriptures Don’t try to persuade or counsel God – pray like Mary in Jn. 2 Be alert to related insight or guidance

Praying for “Stuck” Christians Ask God to give you 1 or 2 people & pray for them recurrently Do most of this prayer “in secret” Ask the Spirit to strengthen you, guide you & give you scriptures Don’t try to persuade or counsel God – pray like Mary in Jn. 2 Be alert to related insight or guidance Sometimes things get worse before they get better – so persevere