Praying for the Lost

Not too long ago I finished a book called 'The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert.'  It was about a professor who taught and widely promoted a lifestyle that clashed greatly with the Word of God.  Upon the completion of another published document she began to receive the typical large amount of letters and correspondence that often arrives shortly after a 'hot topic' comes off the press.  She had 2 bins beside her desk.  One bin held all the favourable responses to her latest publications.  The other bin held the hate mail and all the letters of dislike. 

One day she opened a letter from a reformed pastor.  She read it.  She read it again.  It didn't really belong in her favorable bin.  It didn't really belong in her dislike bin either.  So the letter sat on her desk.  An extremely organized person, the fact that the letter did not have a 'place' bothered the professor greatly.  She read and re-read the letter.  Finally she contacted this reformed pastor and asked if they could talk.  What began after that can only be described as a 'tumultuous train wreck of a journey' (her words).  The kingdom of darkness does not give up its children with ease. 

It was absolutely fascinating hearing her tell of her journey.  She was very honest in the way she portrayed her lifestyle.  She presented the clash of the gospel as something incredibly intrusive.  It was not at all a calm peace that settled over her soul as others claim conversion will do.  Gospel light took away her job, her identity, her relationships, as well as her whole world view that she spent her entire life building.  It threw her life upside down.  Suddenly she had nothing left to hang onto.

Throughout the whole journey this pastor and his wife came alongside her.  With much patience, kindness and hospitality they guided her along.  They took the time to answer her questions.  They showed much compassion.  They offered their friendship.  They offered their home.  They gave of their time unceasingly.  By and by, this professor was saved.

You know, I sometimes wonder if we know what we're asking for when we pray for the lost.  Do we know the implications, the inconveniences that would bombard our lives if that prayer were daily answered?  Are we ready to come alongside individuals and turn their entire world upside down for the sake of their eternal peace?  Are we ready to get our hands messy as we delve into other people's lives?  The alcoholic.  The homosexual.  The suicidal.  The environmentalist.  The promiscuous.  Are you cringing? 

When we pray for the lost these are some of the people we are praying for.  Are we ready to have these people walk into our churches?  Are we ready to speak to them?  Are we ready to speak to them without revulsion?  Are we ready to open our homes to them?   

We pray for the lost in our congregational prayers and then later we mock their lifestyles through course jesting in our homes.  We pray for revival in our churches while avoiding the local teenagers who have walked through the church doors.  In our homes and amidst our friends so often our words drip with disdain as we condemn the unconverted along with their sordid lifestyles. For people who think we have our 'doctrine' all figured out we have a lot to learn. 

The thing is, most of the unconverted think Christians are against them. They think we hate them. This may not be true but we have to realize that this stigma has stuck to us and it's up to us to break down that initial barrier. There are ways to speak to sinners without loudly condemning them to hell.  No we don't compromise our faith, but compassion and kindness would go a long way. 

So back to the reason that prompted this post.  This post modern feminine lesbian professor is now a member in good standing in a Reformed church.  As a previous popular speaker for gay activists, her conversion has caused enormous ripples.  Despite her previous sordid lifestyle, she was one of the Lord's elect.  He called her and she left an entire 'world' behind to follow her Shepherd.  She was called out of the kingdom of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Light--no different from you or I.

The onus is on Christians.  When we pray for the lost do we really know what this means?  Are we willing to shed our cloaks of self righteousness to walk beside those who are lacking a Saviour?  Do we really believe that the blood of Christ is the same required atonement for all?  Think about it.