Intercession

How to Pray for the Lost: Praying for Unsaved Family and Friends

Before you speak to people about God, speak to God about people. A biblical guide to praying for people who do not know Jesus yet — what to ask for, Scriptures to pray, and how to keep praying when nothing seems to change.

By · 5 minute read · Updated 2026-10-18

The short answer

Pray for the lost by name, regularly and with faith. Ask God to open their eyes to the gospel, to draw them to Jesus, to send people who will share with them, and to give you courage and opportunities to speak. Pray Scripture — Paul prayed for his people's salvation (Romans 10:1) and asked for open doors (Colossians 4:3). Keep praying when nothing seems to change: God is patient, not wishing that any should perish, and many people come to faith after years of someone's faithful prayer.

Scripture anchors: Romans 10:1 · 1 Timothy 2:1–4 · 2 Corinthians 4:4–6 · John 6:44 · Luke 10:2 · Colossians 4:2–4 · Luke 18:1 · 2 Peter 3:9

Step by step

1. Pray because God wants them saved

Paul urged that prayers be made for all people, because God our Saviour desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Praying for the lost is not trying to persuade a reluctant God. It is joining God in what He already wants. Paul's own heart's desire and prayer to God for his people was that they would be saved.

  • Read 1 Timothy 2:1–4 and Romans 10:1
  • Pray with confidence: this is God's will
  • Let prayer grow real love for people

2. Pray by name

General prayers are easy to forget. Write down the names of people in your life who do not know Jesus: family, friends, coworkers, neighbours, classmates. Choose a few to pray for every day. Specific, named prayer keeps people in front of God and keeps them on your heart — and it makes it far more likely that you will notice when God opens a door.

  • List five people you will pray for daily
  • Keep the list somewhere you will see it
  • Add prayer requests they mention to you

Map your people at OikosMap.com

3. Ask God to open their eyes

Paul wrote that the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ — and that God, who said let light shine out of darkness, shines in our hearts. Spiritual blindness is not cured by better arguments alone. Pray that God would draw them, open their eyes, soften their hearts, and give them understanding of the gospel.

  • Read 2 Corinthians 4:4–6 and John 6:44
  • Pray Acts 26:18 — that they would turn from darkness to light
  • Pray for conviction of sin and a hunger for truth (John 16:8)

4. Pray for people to reach them

Jesus told His disciples that the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few, so they should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers. Pray that God would bring believers across their path — a coworker, a neighbour, a stranger — who will speak to them about Jesus. And be ready for God to answer that prayer by sending you.

  • Read Luke 10:2
  • Pray for Christians in their workplace, school and family
  • Ask: Lord, would you send me?

5. Pray for open doors and your own boldness

Paul asked the Colossians to pray that God would open a door for the word, and that he would make the gospel clear as he ought to speak. Pray the same for yourself: for natural opportunities, for wisdom to recognise them, for courage to speak, and for gracious words. The early believers prayed for boldness and God answered.

  • Read Colossians 4:2–6 and Acts 4:29–31
  • Pray for one conversation this week
  • Ask for words that are gracious and clear

How to start a conversation about Jesus

6. Keep praying — do not give up

Jesus told His disciples a parable to show that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Some people come to faith quickly; many after years. God is patient, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Keep praying, keep loving, and keep the door open. Your faithfulness in prayer is never wasted.

  • Read Luke 18:1–8 and 2 Peter 3:9
  • Thank God for every small sign of openness
  • Pray with others who will persevere with you

Field notes

  • Pray with others. Agree with a friend, a small group or an outreach team to pray for each other's lists.
  • Prayer and speaking go together. Pray for opportunities, then take them when they come.
  • Do not pray only for problems to be fixed. Pray above all that they would know Jesus.
  • Write down answered prayers. Remembering what God has done strengthens faith to keep asking.
  • Let prayer change how you treat people. It is hard to be indifferent to someone you pray for every day.
  • Use Scripture. Praying God's words helps you pray in line with His will.

Common questions

What should I pray for an unsaved family member?

Pray that God would open their eyes to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4–6), draw them to Jesus (John 6:44), convict them of sin and show them His grace (John 16:8), send believers into their life (Luke 10:2), and give you opportunities and boldness to speak with love (Colossians 4:2–6).

Is there a Bible verse about praying for the lost?

Yes. Romans 10:1 — Paul's heart's desire and prayer to God was for his people to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:1–4 urges prayer for all people because God desires all to be saved. Luke 10:2 tells us to pray for workers for the harvest.

What if I have prayed for years and nothing has changed?

Keep praying. Jesus taught that we should always pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). God is patient (2 Peter 3:9), and His timing is not ours. Keep loving the person, keep the door open, and keep sharing as God gives opportunity.

Does God answer prayers for someone's salvation?

God desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4) and invites us to pray for them. He does not force anyone to believe, but He works through prayer — opening hearts, sending messengers and creating opportunities. We pray in faith and leave the outcome to Him.

Map your people · Find a group near you · All evangelism guides

Keep reading