Jesus’ burden for the lost multitude resulted in his instruction to pray that the Lord would send laborers into the harvest field (Matthew 9:38). In his deep burden for the unsaved he commanded prayer for the saints instead of the sinner.

Likewise, the apostle Paul requested prayer for both the opportunity to witness (Colossians 4:3) and the courage to present the gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20). To pray for our lost friends is a naturally loving instinct, but it is God’s Word that guides us how to do so. It instructs us to pray that the Lord would send someone into their lives who would have the opportunity and the freedom to clearly present the gospel.