What About Our Lost Loved Ones?

 It's a question I often get from concerned believers. It's exciting to think we will be leaving this fallen world soon, but what about those we love? I can honestly say that worry for my family, my children and grandchildren used to consume me as a young believer. The terror I felt at even thinking for one second that they could spend eternity in hell was enough to make me numb with fear and unable to function. So, early on in my walk with the Lord I started begging, yes literally begging, Him for their salvation. Of course I witnessed to them all over and over, but to no avail. Yet, the Lord was patient with me as year after year He opened up His Word. (Hint: You have to be in the Word daily!)  And the Holy Spirit opened up to me Scripture after Scripture about descendants and other family members. 

Before I begin, let me say that I'm not a Calvinist. I do not believe that salvation is only offered to a select group chosen before the world began, and that for some, no matter how much they believe or try, they will just not make it. Scripture is clear that the Gospel is offered to everyone, to whomsoever will receive it and believe, and everyone must make a personal choice. No one is automatically saved just because their parents are Christians or their grandparents. They have to personally chose Jesus themselves. 

However, having said that, our gracious and merciful God has given us promises for our descendants. Here are a few of the ones He showed me.  The Best prayer you can make on behalf of your children is to remind God of His Word and His promises as follows:  (Notice there are conditions)

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. Psalm 103:17-18

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Psalm 112:1-2

For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,

And floods on the dry ground;

I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,

And My blessing on your offspring;

 They will spring up among the grass

Like willows by the watercourses.’ Isaiah 44:3-4

All your children shall be taught by the Lord,

And great shall be the peace of your children.

 Isaiah 54:13

Isaiah 59:21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

Psalms 102:28 The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.

Isaiah 61:8-9 …I will make an everlasting covenant with them.  Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed.

Isaiah 65:23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them.

Now for general families, not specific to children

And they answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, give yourself up to Him, take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping and you will be saved, and this applies both to you and your household as well. Acts 16:31 Amplified Classic version

We also have many examples. Noah and his 3 sons and their wives , all taken on the Ark when only Noah was described as righteous,

Lot and his family were only relatives of Abraham living in a very sinful city but God rescued them BECAUSE of Abraham

Rahab was a harlot but she and her entire family with her were saved because of her faith:

So the young men, the spies, went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred and set them outside the camp of Israel Joshua 6:23

Use these Scriptures in your prayers. Remind the Lord of His Word and ask that He send a Righteous witness to your loved ones, someone they respect, to share the Word of Life with them! Ask the Lord to remove any obstacles, any idols, or walls keeping them from knowing Him. 

You need to go to battle for your family!  Even if you're the only one! Be strong and know that you aren't alone. The King of Kings is with you!

Here are some warrior prayers I say every day. 

In the Mighty Name of Jesus, I command every demon, evil spirit, and force of darkness attacking any of my family members to cease and desist!  I stuff a rag dipped in the blood of Jesus into your mouths and forbid you to speak to them, lie to them, deceive them, tempt them, torture them or influence them in any way.  I bind and muzzle you with chains dipped in the blood of the lamb until you can be cast into the pit.

Remember you should never try to cast out a demon from someone who is not following Jesus because the Bible says he will go get his friends and come back!  But we can silence them and make them impotent

Here's another one I say:

In the mighty name of Jesus I crush, cancel, remove, and break any curse, spell, enchantment or such like wicked device cast upon any of my family members.

Also.

I pray for a shield of your Holy Spirit and Precious blood to cover every family member, their home, cars, place of employment and all air, food, water, and medicine they ingest. Remove all poisons, Lord, all wickedness and harm. I plead the Blood of Jesus over every black screen they view--every phone, tablet, tv, or computer and forbid any demons to enter through these devices. 

And lastly

Father God, please post mighty angels around my family members to protect them from all enemy attack, soul, body, and spirit. In the name of Jesus, I cancel every satanic assignment against them and every evil plan against them and I Break and remove EVERY obstacle the enemy has put in their path that is preventing them from knowing YOU! 

Please don't just repeat these prayers. They are just guidelines for you and to let you know what I pray for every day.  Add to them prayers for your loved ones salvation AND for those who are lukewarm to grow closer to the Lord, that He would open their eyes to the truth and lead them down the path of Righteousness!  

The Lord answers prayers!  He really loves prayers for family, so don't give up!  And remember, when you start doing warfare, the enemy is going to get mad ,and he will make things look much worse for a while. But that only means that your prayers are working!  So, don't give up!