BGEA: I've prayed for over 30 years that my brother will come to Christ. Is he hopeless?

I've prayed for over 30 years that my brother will come to believe in Christ, but he still has no interest in spiritual things. Is he hopeless? Sometimes I wonder why I keep praying. — Mrs. L.D.

I suspect you keep praying for him because you love him, and you care deeply about what will happen to his soul. You also know he's missing out on life's greatest joy, which comes from walking every day with Christ in our hearts.

When we pray, we need to remember that God's ways and God's timing aren't always the same as ours. Don't stop praying for your brother. Almost every week I get at least one letter from someone who's been praying for years for someone who doesn't know Christ—a spouse, a relative, a friend. In many cases, the person prayed for has eventually turned to Christ, and their life has been changed. What if they had stopped praying?

Remember, God is able to do what we can't do. Only He can convict your brother of his sins, and only He can convince Him of the truth of the Gospel. That's why no one is hopeless, for God can break through even the hardest heart. The Bible says, "Is not my word ... like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29).

Do not only pray for your brother, however. As God gives you opportunity, also speak to him about your concern for his spiritual condition. The Bible says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have ... with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).

8 Comments

Ronisha says 9.15.2012, 11:16 a.m.

This gave me encouragement. I pray for my aunt and her family because she's dealing with some issues and is suffering from alcholism, plus her son died last year. I love my aunt and I will continue to keep her in prayer. Everything is in God's hands.

Nichole says 8.20.2012, 11:25 a.m.

I prayed for my brother for several years. His heart was so hardened. He began going thru some really difficult times and fell to his knees in the shower and asked God to help. In God's time and God's way...Don't stop praying.

Trina says 4.7.2012, 9:40 p.m.

It was so encouraging to read Billy Grahams "answer" to this question, but I was also encouraged by reading many of the responses. I will keep praying for my husband and know that God has a good plan and I have to keep trusting Him and praying.

Sarah says 4.6.2012, 10:24 a.m.

I have been taught that we can pray for results by leaving our request with God in the name of Jesus and thanking him for the results immediately after all God calls us to "come boldly to the throne" And Mark 11:23 say if we believe we will receive.

noelle says 11.29.2011, 8:36 p.m.

I've been praying for my ballet teacher 4.5 years for her salvation. She's quite bitter and pushes me away but I love her dearly. I think there's a beauty that's buried deep inside of her that could be a light for Christ. My heart aches for her soul.

Betty says 7.12.2011, 07:01 a.m.

I believe not only do we need to pray for our loved ones, but also those who have never known God, or who have fallen away and maybe even committed a terrible crime. Instead of being judgmental, we need to be more loving and forgiving and lift these children of God up in prayer for their salvation. For only God knows who will come to him and who will not!

Bert says 1.31.2011, 08:08 a.m.

I prayed for my father for over 30 years. One evening the Lord told me to go to a deacon and ask him to come back and witness to Dad again. The deacon had witnessed to Dad in the past, and Dad respected him. The deacon returned one time, and Dad was saved. He remained faithful to God and the church for the rest of his life. We give up too easy sometimes and quit. We must be persistent with our witnessing.

Deborah says 1.13.2011, 06:28 a.m.

My friend prayed for her husband for 25 years to be saved. I was privileged to witness his coming in and new birth in Christ. He remained faithful to God and in church for many years and last year went on to be with the Lord. God is faithful to His promises.