Daily Prayer for the Lost

Several years ago, our weekly choir practice was interrupted by a telephone call. It was one of those phone calls that makes your heart speed up and stop all at the same time. A young girl from a neighboring church had been in a horrible car accident. She was in intensive care and her injuries were life-threatening. My pastor's wife asked that we all find a place to pray. Our sanctuary was immediately filled with the sound of travailing prayer. We all knew this young girl. She was beautiful inside and out; a role model for the youth of our church. We reminded the Lord of the many wonderful attributes that this young lady possessed, and of what potential she had for His work in the future. We wept and pleaded for her life, we claimed healing for her injuries. At the end of our prayer time, my pastor's wife said that she knew the Lord had heard our prayers and felt He had already touched Becky's broken body.

My pastor's wife then went on to ask us how long it had been since we had prayed over a lost soul like we had for our friend that had been injured. Had we wept for our co-workers, neighbors, and loved ones that were destroying their life with sin? Had we reminded the Lord of the potential they had in His kingdom? Had we pleaded with the Lord to save their soul? A quietness settled around us as we began to think of those that needed not a physical touch but a spiritual healing. They were headed for death. Had we travailed for their soul?

The youth of our church have recently returned from youth camp. They have brought home a renewed vision to see lost souls saved. It has spilled over into my heart. So many times, I try to minister to the needs of the saints around me. A meal cooked for a new mother, a card sent to a person going through a tough time, a token of love bought for a friend in need...all of these things are well and good, but how often have I travailed for the sinner? I am ashamed to admit the burden has not bowed me down in prayer lately. I am trying something new this month. I am writing a different name of a lost soul on every day of my July calendar. If the Lord can go searching for the one when the ninety-nine are safe, then the least I can do is bring their name to Him in prayer. My prayers, along with others, for Becky touched the throne of heaven and she received a miraculous healing. Perhaps my prayers will make a difference in the lives of Lance, Billie Joe, Rebecca, Natasha, Daniel, April....