MAY 26

Praying for the Lost

Bible Reading: Romans 10:1-9

George Mueller (1805–1898) is widely considered one the greatest men of prayer in the history of the church. We know him best today for his orphanages. Through his orphanage in Bristol, Mueller cared for as many as two thousand orphans at a time—more than ten thousand in his lifetime. Yet he never made the needs of his ministries known to anyone except to God in prayer. And over and over again God answered his prayers and provided in miraculous fashion.

One day George Mueller began praying for five of his friends. After many months, one of them came to the Lord. Ten years later, two others were converted. It took 25 years before the fourth man was saved. Mueller persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those 52 years he never gave up hoping that he would accept Christ! His faith was rewarded, for soon after Mueller’s funeral the last one was saved.

We are in good company in praying for the lost.  Jesus was praying for the lost from the cross when He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  Stephen was praying for the lost when he was being stoned, saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).  Saul was there and eventually trusted in Jesus.  He likewise prayed for the lost, saying, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them (his Jewish brethren) is that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1; 9:1-3).

It has been my experience that behind every testimony of how someone has come to faith in Jesus is the reality that there was at least one person praying for them.  I know of three who were praying for me before I was saved.  To be sure, there’s a mystery to how God works through prayers in the salvation of souls, but we are on safe theological ground in praying this way.  We are urged to make “supplications, prayers, intercession, and thanksgivings” …for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1).  We do so knowing that “God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).  We know, of course, that not all men will be saved, but we are nonetheless praying well when we are praying according to God’s desires.

How should we pray for the lost?  They will not come to Him until they recognize their need, so we pray that the Spirit might work to convict them of their sins (John 16:8).  The “god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4), so we pray that their eyes might be opened to the truth of the gospel.  Lydia was saved when “God opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14).  We can pray likewise.  We can pray that they will come to realize how futile life is apart from God (1 Peter 1:18).  And that they might realize that their current path is one that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13).  Put yourself in the place of those men who carried the paralytic to where Jesus was, letting him down through the roof.  They had one concern–get their friend to Jesus!  And so, it is when we pray for the lost!  God’s part is to save, but He privileges us to pray and uses our prayers in a mysterious way.  Pray that God might burden you to pray for someone, then keep on praying as George Muller did for his friends.  Perhaps you’ve a list of unsaved family members and others you are praying for, don’t lose heart and grow weary in that vital and important work!  You are in good company in praying for the lost!

“We will only advance in our evangelistic work as fast and as far as we advance on our knees. Prayer opens the channel between a soul and God; prayerlessness closes it. Prayer releases the grip of Satan’s power; prayerlessness increases it. That is why prayer is so exhausting and so vital.” – Alan Redpath

LORD, LAY SOME SOUL UPON MY HEART

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart,
And love that soul through me;
And may I bravely do my part
To win that soul for Thee.

Chorus: Some soul for Thee, some soul for Thee,
This is my earnest plea;
Help me each day, on life’s highway,
To win some soul for Thee.

Lord, lead me to some soul in sin,
And grant that I may be
Endued with power and love to win
That soul, dear Lord, for Thee (Chorus)

To win that soul for Thee, my Lord,
Will be my constant prayer;
That when I’ve won Thy full reward
I’ll with that dear one share (Chorus)

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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