While I hold solidly to the biblical truth that our Creator God is Omnipresent, (everywhere-present-at-once), there is just as strong a truth and understanding that there is a place of His design where He is not. This place is for those who have vehemently determined to push God as far from their lives as is possible. They have decided against all things God. They do not want Him. They insist on shutting all entry points to their lives in order to shut Him out altogether. This place you ask? What is the name of this place, and where does it exist? I can only speak of it in the softest tones while weeping deep sobs and sighs—this place, hell . . . and it exists somewhere in the most outer darkness, the deepest of deep pits. It is a place for all who do not want God. God will reluctantly honor their will, though their choice has been influenced and tainted by another, they ultimately make their choices.
Let me passionately and firmly state that I am convinced that there are, and forever will be, persons in that place of darkness empty of God . . . who are there because no true believer intervened in the deceptions of the evil one over their minds . . . by much prayer! Where are they who could rescue?
Beloved, receive this truth deeply in your understanding spirit: God did not create the atheist. He created man in His own image having an inner longing for, and the ability to have an intimate relationship with his Creator, but also to choose his way in the world. Man, as such, is a free agent. However, through much deception and enticement, the evil one, Satan himself, has brought the atheist into the kingdom of darkness to silently, perhaps unknowingly, worship him.
“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
Yes, man is free, and yet, the most imprisoned one on the earth because of sin, selfishness, and prejudice, which is his lot because of the fall of man and the dominion of the earth, which man handed to the devil.
Christians must rescue! Believers must pray! Pray what, and how?
First of all, we never exercise our will in prayer to control the will of him who does not yet believe. Rather, we are to free his will from the influences that have clouded his ability to think rightly, while not interfering with his free will. We pray to clear the dust and disperse any fog from his eyes; open the eyes of his heart that he may see what needs to be fully seen.
When once he is finally free to see and think without restraints from the enemy of God and man, he may then come to a rational decision using his unlimited free will.
Allow me to make suggestions for properly praying for one such as I have been describing who is not yet saved, not yet able to believe. These suggestions are based on the following Scriptures:
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7)
The first passage speaks of our directive to pray for all men, including those who might not yet be saved, and also of God’s desire that all would be rescued.
The second passage speaks of God’s will or desire for the one, or ones, that you are thinking about right now.
Then, the last verse, in John 15, tells us who may pray with maximum effectiveness and assurance.
The prayer example or suggestion I leave with you is inspired by Jesus’ own words of prayer instruction in what we have labeled – The LORD’S Prayer – in Matthew chapter six.
Suggested Prayer: “LORD, deliver him from the evil one; and work in him Your will for him, by Your power to Your glory in Jesus, Who alone is the Victor, Amen!”
This prayer illustration may be adapted, and real names inserted, as the Spirit may guide.
Church, discover the names of the lost related to your church members through family, work, school, or neighbors, and everywhere your church may have influence, then . . . Pray On!
