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◄ Conversion: Pray For►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Conversion, in the Christian context, refers to the spiritual transformation where an individual turns from sin and embraces faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This transformative process is often accompanied by repentance, a change of heart, and a commitment to follow Christ. Prayer plays a crucial role in the conversion experience, both for the individual seeking conversion and for those interceding on behalf of others.

Biblical Basis for Praying for Conversion

The Bible underscores the importance of prayer in the process of conversion. In1 Timothy 2:1-4 , the Apostle Paul urges believers to pray for all people, emphasizing that God "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." This passage highlights the divine desire for salvation and the role of prayer in aligning with God's will.

InRomans 10:1 , Paul expresses his heartfelt desire and prayer for the salvation of Israel: "Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation." This demonstrates the apostolic practice of praying for the conversion of others, reflecting a deep concern for their spiritual well-being.

Intercessory Prayer for Conversion

Intercessory prayer, where believers pray on behalf of others, is a powerful tool in the conversion process.James 5:16 states, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse encourages believers to pray earnestly for the conversion of others, trusting in the efficacy of prayer to bring about spiritual change.

The parable of the persistent widow inLuke 18:1-8 illustrates the importance of persistent prayer. Jesus teaches that persistent prayer can lead to justice and, by extension, can be applied to the spiritual realm, where persistent intercession may lead to the conversion of souls.

Praying for Personal Conversion

For individuals seeking conversion, prayer is a vital step in expressing repentance and faith. InActs 2:21 , Peter declares, "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." This promise assures that those who earnestly seek God through prayer will find salvation.

The account of the tax collector inLuke 18:13 serves as a model for personal prayer in conversion: "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’" This humble and repentant prayer exemplifies the attitude of heart necessary for conversion.

Role of the Holy Spirit in Conversion

Prayer for conversion is closely linked to the work of the Holy Spirit. InJohn 16:8 , Jesus explains that the Holy Spirit will "convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." Believers are encouraged to pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those who have not yet come to faith, opening their eyes to the truth of the Gospel.

InActs 16:14 , the conversion of Lydia is attributed to the Lord opening her heart to respond to Paul's message. This account underscores the necessity of divine intervention in the conversion process, which can be sought through prayer.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a formulaic approach to praying for conversion, it clearly emphasizes the importance of prayer in the process. Believers are encouraged to pray for the salvation of others, to intercede persistently, and to rely on the Holy Spirit's work in bringing about true conversion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 80:7
Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 85:4
Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause your anger toward us to cease.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 31:18
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; You have chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn you me, and I shall be turned; for you are the LORD my God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Lamentations 5:21
Turn you us to you, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Twelfth Day for the Spirit to Convince the World of Sin
... Without that, no deep or abiding revival, no powerfulconversion.Pray for it, that
the gospel may be preached in such power of the Spirit, that men may see...

Conversion and Sanctification
... Chapter VConversion and Sanctification. A... prayer. He asked me topray, but
all I have ever remembered saying is, "Lord have mercy on me....

Conversion of all that Come.
... of God, and who will not deduct anything from the deadness of the sinner, are afraid
"to speak to deaf ears." Hence theypray for theconversion of the hearers...

Conversion.
... For a long time after myconversion I didn't accomplish anything... I'd get up in prayer
meeting, and I'dpray with the others, but just to go up to a man and take...

How toPray
... 3. The Listening Side of Prayer. 4. Something about God's Will in Connection with
Prayer.5. May WePray with Assurance for theConversion of Our Loved Ones?...

Our Hope is not theConversion of the World.
... Wepray that these pages may be read by many who will be startled by the above
statement.... What we are discussing now is theConversion of the world....

TheConversion of Cornelius.
... THEconversion of Cornelius, who was the first-fruits of the Gentiles, is supposed...
the Psalmist says, "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will Ipray, and cry...

Conversion
... of the knowledge of the day, or the hour, or the month of one'sconversion as "Do
we... leader went to speak to him and said "Edward, why don't youpray?" and he...

Marks of a TrueConversion
... be converted, and be made like wicked creatures; that would be noconversion." But,
my... If parents were convinced of this, I believe they wouldpray more, when...

TheConversion of Zaccheus
... Well might the evangelist usher in the relation of this man'sconversion with the...
I onlypray, that the poor who attend, may be evangelized, and turned into...