Praying for Souls

Ro 10:1 ¶ Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Paul does not hide his inward thoughts and feelings about salvation of his countrymen. His desire is that they
will come to a proper understanding, accepting and saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing is more
important to Paul than this: he lives for souls, to be saved, and then to be sanctified for the glory of GOD. Because
of this love for the lost souls of his countrymen, he prays. How does Paul pray?

Firstly, he shares his burden. Brethren … Compassion in the heart of Paul caused him to share his burden for the
lost. In prayer, God has decreed power in united prayer Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you
shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in
heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. and when we
pray for souls we need to pray for them collectively.

Secondly, he prays sincerely: MY HEART’s DESIRE … for Israel. Dear friend, how is your prayer? Is it sincere?
Heartfelt? Vain? Paul prays with his heart, for the souls of men. He tells clearly that his desire for them is that
they might be saved. If at all possible, in whatever he may be able to do to contribute to their salvation , he wants
them to be saved and to be on their way to the kingdom of GOD. How do we pray? Is it hot? Is it forceful? for
the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. . A famous Baptist once said about prayer: better to
have the heart without words than the words without heart..”

Thirdly, he prays specifically: that they might be saved. He does not read an entire exposition of the whys and
hows, he does not goes into theological discussion: he merely prays: LORD SAVE THEM.

There are lost souls all over our land and in the North of Singapore. God has placed us in a unique country with
many Singaporeans and many more foreigners who live and work among us. All of us have an opportunity to be an
ambassador for Christ, to be His minister where we are and to do what He tells us to. Our light ought to be shining
for Him, and our salt ought to flavour every situation. But testimony, preaching, testifying will all be fruitless
without prayer. Do we pray? May the Lord burden us to pray.

Evangelist- Pastor Johnny Tan
Ambassador Baptist Church