Praying For Your Loved Ones

My Uncle lay dying in hospital. My mother informed me that we were going to visit her brother-in-law, and I would share the Gospel and lead him to Christ.  So, we arrived at visiting time. The ward was packed with family and friends at every bed. Now I have to tell you that my uncle was quite deaf and never wore a hearing aid. So, in a loud voice I proceeded to share with him the Gospel message, and the whole ward went quiet, out of respect for  my sharing from the Bible. When I finished I asked him, “Uncle John, do you want to receive Christ as your Saviour right now?” He answered immediately, and in a loud voice said, “NO”  I could imagine some of those visitors thinking, “Serves that preacher right for bothering an old man in hospital.” Walking out the door, I assured my mum that we had done all we could, but he obviously didn’t want to get saved. Mum shot back, “Well, we are going back tomorrow night and you’ll ask him again.”

So, next night the same scene played out. Full ward. Same visitors. Me speaking loudly the Gospel message. People being quiet out of respect. Then as the night before, I asked him, “Uncle John, do you want to receive Christ as your Saviour right now?” He immediately replied, in a loud voice that all could hear, “YES”  I’m not sure who was the most relieved, me, or the visitors for me!  He told us that when we left the night before he couldn’t sleep. He thought about it all night. So, the following night he was ready. His mind was made up. He wanted to know Christ as his Saviour. He went peacefully to be with his Lord in the early hours of that next morning. 

The lesson for me in all of this was, while he had breath in his body my mother wouldn’t give up on him. She had prayed too long and hard to give up at the first refusal.  I had also the opportunity to lead her favourite brother James to Christ on his death-bed. She had also prayed for him for many years. But by this time, she had dementia, and wasn’t even aware that he too had come to know the Lord. Nevertheless, God had answered her faithful prayers for her dear brother.

I tell you these personal stories to encourage you to never give up praying for the salvation of your precious loved ones.  Right now, they may seem so very far from the Lord, and your prayers  may appear to be of no value, and making not a jot of difference. But God is faithful. He can work behind the scenes and soften the hearts of those family members. It’s always too soon to give up praying for your loved ones. They may be nearer the Kingdom than you think. 

James 5:16 (NLT) “…the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.”

- Pastor David Goudy