Pray for souls

 

Pray for souls

"You’ve probably heard the phrase 'pray for souls' often in church. If you're new to the Christian faith, like I once was, and unsure of what it truly means, then this blog post is here to help you understand."

When you hear the phrase 'pray for souls,' it means praying for those who have never known Jesus—to receive Him as their personal Savior and to be saved. This kind of prayer is a powerful way to serve the Lord, and there is nothing that brings God more joy. The Bible clearly shows that this is His desire. In 1 Timothy 2:4, it says, 'God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.' Similarly, 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, 'The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.’ “It is a joy to the Lord and his angels in heaven when someone accepts Jesus as his/her savior and receives the gift of eternal life. Luke 15:10 states, "Likewise, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents”.

My Personal Experience: How I Received Jesus as My Savior

The night I gave my life to Christ was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I was alone in my room, overwhelmed with confusion and stress, but determined to follow the steps my pastor had shared with me. He had explained that receiving salvation begins with confessing your sins, repenting with a sincere heart, and declaring your belief in Jesus—that He died on the cross for your sins, rose again, and offers freedom and eternal life to those who accept Him as Lord and Savior.

I followed those steps the best I could. I confessed, repented, and told the Lord that I would turn away from my old life. I declared my belief in the truth of the cross and invited Jesus into my heart as my personal Savior. Afterward, I called my pastor and told him what I had done. He asked if I had seen any signs or felt anything unusual. Out of nervousness—or maybe fear—I said no, even though earlier I had felt something like a spirit entering me. I had already forgotten about that powerful moment.

He encouraged me to pray and ask God for confirmation. So, the next morning, I did just that.

During prayer, something incredible happened. I went into what felt like a trance-like state. It was as if my soul was being lifted into the air for a few seconds. Then I saw a huge door, and as my soul passed through it, I found myself in a glorious place where rows of people stood on either side. They were clapping, smiling, and filled with joy as I passed by. It felt like a welcome home.

I immediately called my pastor and told him everything. He was overjoyed—shouting, praising God, and telling his wife, “The Lord is mighty! He is so merciful!” I was still trying to understand what I had seen, so I asked him, “What happened?” He told me gently, “Those weren’t just people—they were angels. And my dear, you are saved.”

At that time, I was still new to church. I had only read the Bible once, and not even completely. But through that experience, I knew something real had happened. I had encountered the living God.

What Is Intercessory Prayer?

Praying for someone else is known as intercessory prayer. It’s how we “stand in the gap” for those who don’t yet know God, bringing their needs before Him when they may not be able to do so themselves. When we pray for someone’s salvation, we are engaging in intercession—pleading with God on their behalf. Intercessory prayer can also be offered for those who have drifted away from their faith, for individuals facing critical or life-threatening situations, or for someone struggling with illness. It is a powerful act of love and spiritual service, allowing us to partner with God in His work in others’ lives.

When is the right time to begin interceding?

Intercession is not for beginner’s, please do not it if are a newbie to Christianity. If you ask why? then here is your answer-

In Luke 6:39, Jesus shares a parable by asking, “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?” This parable highlights a powerful truth: someone who is spiritually blind cannot effectively guide others. Just as a physically blind person cannot lead another safely, a person lacking spiritual insight cannot be a true leader or teacher in matters of faith. Jesus uses this image to warn against becoming a guide without first being strengthened and enlightened by the ways of God.

Seek God's Guidance before Stepping Out.

Take time to seek God’s direction—ask Him to guide your steps. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I gently urge you to hold back your initial enthusiasm to serve the Lord until you’ve spent time in prayer and preparation.

I’ve seen many believers, especially those coming from non-Christian backgrounds, become filled with passion after encountering Christ. Moved by their desire to serve, some quit their jobs, close down successful businesses, and eagerly follow pastors, wanting to travel and preach the Word everywhere. While their zeal is genuine and admirable, many end up feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and, sadly, regretful.

Why does this happen? Because sharing the gospel is not just about spreading good news—it's stepping into spiritual warfare. The enemy does not sit back when someone begins leading others to Christ. He pushes back with all his strength. That’s why it’s crucial to be spiritually grounded and prepared before stepping into ministry.

Don’t rush. Let God equip you first. When He calls you to serve, He will also strengthen and protect you for the journey.

Sadly, I became a victim of this very mistake. In my enthusiasm, I was desperate to share Christ with my family—driven by a deep longing to see them freed from what I clearly recognized as a generational curse. But in my eagerness, I wasn’t prepared for what followed. I faced harsh criticism, resistance, and spiritual attacks that I didn’t understand at the time. I was too spiritually naïve to recognize that the overwhelming, soul-crushing situations I found myself in were not just coincidences—they were demonic attacks aimed at silencing and discouraging me.

How to intercede?

Understand the will of God

Always seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit when you pray for others. It’s important to understand that God doesn’t always respond with a simple “yes.” Instead, follow the leading of the Spirit and be sensitive to His direction. I once saw my pastor choose not to engage with a particular family, and when I asked why, he explained that they were knowingly opening doors to the enemy. Their hearts were filled with anger toward God because they felt He wasn’t providing enough for them.

This taught me a valuable lesson: we must be patient and trust God’s timing when waiting for His Word to manifest in our lives. Impatience and bitterness create an opening for the enemy to step in. Staying aligned with the Holy Spirit protects us and helps us intercede effectively.

Praying with faith and persistence.

This part can be the hardest of all. Waiting on the Lord while praying for someone’s salvation often takes much longer than you expect. It’s important to prepare yourself mentally and release the burden from your shoulders. It could take 10 years, 20 years, or even longer. Remember, you are not the one saving the person—God Almighty is. Your role is to pray, trust, and wait, without losing hope—even when you see no visible signs of God working in that person’s life. Trust that God is at work behind the scenes, even if you cannot see it.

Shield yourself through fasting.

Remember, when you begin praying for souls, you put yourself on the enemy's radar. Someone                interceding for others' sickness, jobs, or homes may not face the same intensity of attack as someone praying for souls. This is why I always emphasize: “Prepare yourself before you begin interceding in prayer.” I’ve seen people lose loved ones as the enemy strikes, and they end up regretting their actions and drifting away from the Lord. The spiritual battle is that real and dangerous. Always ask God for protection over you and your family. Prayerfully cover each family member by name with the blood of Jesus. Also, cover your home and vehicles with His blood by making declarations of faith over them.