Prayer For Unbeliever Close to Death

Prayer for unbeliever

Prayer For Unbeliever Close to Death

A friend asked the question: How do I pray for unbelievers? How do I pray effectively? I trust that every Christian regularly prays for family or friends or colleagues or neighbors who do not yet know the Lord. And while we can and must pray for matters related to their lives and circumstances, the emphasis of our prayers must always be for their salvation. Here are some ways the Bible can guide our prayers.

Prayers for Salvation

We begin with prayers for salvation. Each of these prayers seeks the same thing, but in a different way or from a different angle or using different language. Each of them is grounded in a specific text of Scripture.

Pray that God would circumcise their hearts. Circumcision was the Old Testament sign of entering into God’s covenant, of being God’s people.

To have a circumcised heart symbolizes having a heart that is fully joined to God, fully submissive to him.

“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:6).

Pray that God would give them a heart of flesh. The Bible contrasts a heart of flesh, a heart that is alive and responsive to God, to a heart of stone, a heart that is cold and unyielding.

Pray that God would work within these unbelievers to change their hearts. “And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them.

I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh…” (Ezekiel 11:19).

Pray that God would put his Spirit within them. The great joy of salvation is being indwelled by God himself. Pray that God would grant this honor to those unbelievers, that he would choose to take up residence within them. “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:27).

Pray that they would come to Christ. If unbelievers are to come to salvation, there is just one way. They must come through Christ and Christ alone.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).

Remember, too, that he is the one who calls them to come and to be relieved of the burden of their sin (see Matthew 11:28-30).

Pray that God would open their hearts to believe the gospel. Once more, God must initiate and people must respond. So pray that God would open the hearts of these unbelievers so they can in turn believe, just as Lydia did. “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14).

Pray that God would free them from the slavery of sin. Unbelievers may believe they are free, but they are in fact enslaved. They are slaves of sin, bound by their sin and sinfulness.

Pray that God would liberate them by his gospel.

“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed” (Romans 6:17).

Pray that God would remove Satan’s blinding influence . Unbelievers have been blinded by Satan and will only ever be able to see and appreciate the gospel if God works within them.

So pray that God would give them sight—spiritual sight.

“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Pray that God would grant them repentance. Unbelievers cannot repent without the enabling grace of God. So pray that God would grant them repentance, that this repentance would lead them to a knowledge of the truth.

Pray as well that they would come to their senses and that they would escape from the devil’s snare.

“God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

Prayers For You

You have prayed for unbelievers using different words and approaching from different angles. But you should also pray for yourself.

Pray that you will develop relationship with them. For people to be saved they must first hear the good news of the gospel. For them to hear the good news of the gospel, they must first encounter Christians—Christians you.

Pray that you would develop deeper, more significant relationship with them so you can, in turn, speak truth.

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14).

Pray for opportunities to minister to them. Many people come to faith after seeing Christ’s loved displayed through the ministry of Christians.

Pray for opportunities to minister to unbelievers so that your ministry can have an evangelistic effect.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Pray for them faithfully and persistently. Our temptation is to grow discouraged in prayer, to pray for a while and, when we see no visible results, to give up. But God calls us to persevere in prayer. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). (See also the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8.)

Pray for a burden to plead for their souls. Paul was willing to tell the church at Rome of his great longing to see the salvation of the lost. Do you share this deep longing? Pray that God would give you a great burden for souls. “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1).

Pray for boldness in generating and taking opportunities to speak the gospel. Even Paul longed for this boldness and for the confidence that he was speaking the right and best words.

Pray that God would give you the boldness and, that when you take the opportunities, that he would then guide your words.

“ also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel…” (Ephesians 6:19).

Pray for other believers to encounter them. God almost always uses a succession of people to share the gospel with people before they are saved.

Pray, then, that God would lead other Christians into the lives of the unbelievers you love, that they too would provide an example of Christian living and that they too would speak the gospel.

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Other Prayers

Here are a few more biblical emphases to guide your prayers.

Pray that God would use any circumstance to do his work in them. We pray to a God who is sovereign and who sovereignly works his good will. Often he saves people through difficult circumstances, through bringing them to the very end of themselves.

Pray, then, that God would arrange circumstances, whether easy or difficult, to lead them to salvation. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word” (Psalm 119:67).

As you pray for the unbelievers you love, always pray to God: “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Pray that God would extend his mercy to them. God assures us that he wishes for all people to turn to him in repentance and faith. He receives no joy from seeing people perish.

Pray, then, that God would be glorified in the salvation of these people.

“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” (2 Peter 3:9).

Pray with confidence. Finally, pray with confidence. God expects we will pray, God invites us to pray, God commands us to pray. Why? Because God loves to hear us pray and God loves to respond to our prayers. So as you pray for unbelievers, pray with confidence that God hears your prayers. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).

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Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we praise Your holy name. We magnify You, Oh great Lamb who sits on the throne. We lift the unbelievers before You, Oh God, have divine intervention in their lives. Grant them the privilege of hungering and thirsting after You, for life with You is so wonderful.

Hebrews 3:12  Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of You an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.

May they taste the sweetness of having You in their lives. Bless them with a witness to Your Holy Presence. Touch their hearts Oh God, help them to turn from their wicked ways. Interject change within them that they would come to the realization that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one can enter Your heavenly kingdom except through Him.

1 Timothy 1:13  Even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief

And, as they begin to seek You, reveal Yourself to them, Oh Saviour, for the enemy will try to attack with force. Protect them from all evil, give them strength to overcome the darkness, peace in their hearts, joy in their souls and faith that will last for eternity. Every mountain, every hill and every valley will be removed in Jesus name!

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

Remind them that Your love never fails, and Your mercies and grace endure forever.

Remind them also of the blood that was shed for them, to save lowly sinners such as ourselves Your love of humanity and hope that we would one day change.

Give us the power to fulfill Your will as we obey Your word daily and we claim that unbelievers will be saved and find their way at the sound of Your great name. Amen.

Hebrews 4:2  For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.

We lift the unbelievers before You, Oh God, have divine intervention in their lives. Click To Tweet

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Heavenly Father,

This is our prayer for the lost. We ask that You continue rescuing unbelievers from the domain of darkness and to continue bringing them to the cross of Jesus. You alone can draw and enable them.

Please send Your Holy Spirit with power to convict them of the sin in their life and their need to believe in the truth of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

Show them the truth that Jesus is the only way to You, and that He alone is the way, the truth and the life.

Father, we thank you for forgiving the sins of the lost when they make that eternal choice to believe. We ask in Jesus’ name to demolish the strongholds in their minds that those sins have allowed. We ask in the authority of Jesus’ name to overcome the power of the enemy in their lives, and to ask You to bind evil spirits away from them in the name of Jesus.

We ask that You surround them with spiritual individuals, influences, and resources to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light. Father please do not let their hearts be hardened, but instead open their hearts to receive Your truth.

Rip away any veil that covers their hearts, and any false teaching that confuses their minds. Help them to hear your Word with power and conviction as the Word of God and not the word of man.

Give them understanding, so that the enemy will not be able to steal Your Word from their hearts.

Father, we know that you desire for all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Help them see their need for a Savior. Help them choose Your mercy and Your gift of grace, and to believe with their hearts and their minds. We ask in Your will, that not any should perish. In Jesus’ precious and mighty name. Amen.

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Top 7 Bible Verses To Share With Unbelievers

Prayer For Unbeliever Close to Death

JOYFUL!! EXCITING!! PURPOSE-FILLED!! These three words are just the beginning when we attempt to describe the wonderful life we can have as Christians. Following God is an amazing adventure full of life, fun, and love.

So why wouldn’t we want to share that joy with others? I believe that as Christians, we can offer hope, meaning, and courage to a world that often screams of fear and powerlessness.

Here are my top 7 Bible verses to share with unbelievers to encourage them in their life’s journey.

I really this whole chapter in Ecclesiastes, because it addresses some big problems for unbelievers.

Many will ask why does humanity have to deal with death, wars, or other challenges if there is a God? This verse addresses these issues by explaining that there is a time and a season for all things.

God is not to blame for the consequences of man’s actions. Hardships and trials will come, but God has it all under control. Once we choose to follow him, then our lives will be overrun with blessings.

Bullies, television shows, and the news often put individuals down, and they try to make others feel powerless, stupid and insignificant.

But what the Lord wants us to know from this verse is that as Christians we can accomplish great things in our lives. What the world says is impossible, Jesus says is possible for those who believe.

Faith in God provides us with a “can do” attitude that benefits us in so many ways.

I love this verse, because it clearly states how much God loves us. He cares for us so much that he gave his one and only son for our salvation. Love gives, and God is love.

God created the world around us, and he made everything good for us (Genesis 1). That is how much he loves us.

It is all for our pleasure– parents creating a beautiful room to welcome their newborn child into their home, God also created a whole world to welcome in humanity. This gives us security in our lives.

As I mentioned earlier, the media and even family and friends, can tear us down and discourage us in our daily journey through life. Discouragement, sadness, and hopelessness permeate our society, and depression runs rampant as well.

Jesus himself, though, reminds us in this verse that he came to give us abundant life. I believe that means that our walk with him can be fun, exciting and a daily adventure.

The Lord gives us vision and purpose and power in our quest through life, and there is never a dull moment in the Kingdom of God.

As Christians, we can do more than just survive life here on earth. I believe that this verse points out that we can thrive.

God’s love and support makes us more than conquerors in everything that we do and say. Once we overcome our fears and anxieties, we can see the possibilities are endless.

We can go forward in our quest through life with enthusiasm, meaning and a greater purpose than ourselves.

Our lives can be full of challenges and trials and even prisons of our own choosing. However, this verse includes an important truth for both believers and unbelievers combined.

Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, so that we can be set free from any yoke of slavery. Addictions, depression and other “stinking thinking” can be gone when we fully embrace the Christian walk.

The apostle Paul goes on in this same chapter to encourage us to not only enjoy our freedom ourselves but to use it to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).

One of the most wonderful things that we could ever hear as human beings is that we are loved. The love of our parents, our spouses, or our children can encourage us tremendously, but fully knowing that we are loved by the creator God, can change our lives beyond measure. this verse says, “God is love.

” This is very refreshing to hear in a world where it seems that everyone is looking to find fault in everyone else. Laws and punishment are the norm, but it is imperative that an unbeliever understand that our God is not that. He loves us so much, and he offers us peace, hope and forgiveness.

He is not out to get us, but rather he gives us free will to choose our own path. Unfortunately, there are consequences to our bad choices and actions, but God’s heart is for us. His perfect love for us casts out fear (I John 4:18).

In other words, I want unbelievers to know that God’s unconditional love encompasses all of our lives.

CONCLUSION

The Bible is full of great verses to share with an unbeliever. There are verses that will appeal to a person’s intellect and logic, and there are other verses that will touch an unbeliever’s emotions and heart.

These are my top seven verses, because I believe that God wants us to share about the many wonderful aspects that are a part of following him each day as a Christian.

With God, life is a wonderful adventure, and I want to share that good news enthusiastically with all of my family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

Written by Karla Hawkins

I feel blessed to be the pastor’s wife of a thriving church in northern Michigan and the mother of four amazing grown children. It is also very rewarding to be a Christian author, editor and translator for the Kingdom of God.

Some of my favorite pastimes include supporting my children’s contemporary Christian band ONLY9AM, singing on the worship team at church, traveling, and connecting with family and friends via social media.

When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and especially with my precious three-year-old grandson.

Источник: //www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/02/05/top-7-bible-verses-to-share-with-unbelievers/

7 Effective Prayers For Nonbelievers

Prayer For Unbeliever Close to Death

John 3:16 states “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” While we know this to be true and hold it dear to our hearts, there are people in this world who are unaware of God, His Love, His Son Jesus, and His gift of eternal salvation.

Nonbelievers may include some of your friends, family members, or coworkers. When we realize that someone hasn’t turned their life over to God, we may be sad, scared for them, and confused about how to respond.

One great way to help those who do not believe is by praying for them. We can do so by effectively asking God for His guidance. By lifting them up in prayer, we can ask God to help them begin a faith journey or ask for advice on how to minister to them. The Lord will listen to your cries and work through you.

Here are a few prayers to help you get started when praying for a unbeliever.

Prayer They Will Know God

My Heavenly Father, in John 17:3, Jesus says, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

” Jesus was praying that people come to know You, our only means to eternal salvation. Today I choose to pray as Jesus did and ask that You help those who have yet to give their lives to Christ.

May Your love and power reveal themselves to the nonbelievers, so that they will someday know You! Amen.

Prayer That God Will Turn Their Stubborn Heart

Lord Almighty, as I pray today for those that do not know Jesus I ask that You can break whatever it is that has control over their heart that takes them away from knowing You. Psalm 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

” It is true that many have to fall to their lowest points in life before they turn their life over to You. It often takes painful circumstances to drive us to Christ. Addiction, lust, materialism, and other deadly sins are false gods that are stealing the hearts of those who need You the most.

I pray for those who are unsaved that You will be able to rip the bondage of what is holding them back. May they seek You! Amen.

Prayer That God Will Put His Spirit Within Them

Holy Spirit, I know the great joy of salvation is being indwelled by God himself. I pray that God would grant this honor to those unbelievers, that He would choose to take up residence within them.

May He fill the hearts of those who have yet to see Him! As Ezekiel 36:27 states, “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

” I am blessed to have the Spirit within me, and I pray for that blessing for unbelievers so that they can know true happiness. Amen.

Prayer For God to Remove Satan’s Influence

Lord, it is scary to know that unbelievers have been blinded by Satan. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 it says, “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

” How will they ever know You if they are blind? I pray that they are able to see and appreciate the gospel by You working within them. I pray God that You give them opportunities to see the light and glory of Jesus Christ.

Bless them with the spiritual sight needed to break the influence that Satan has taken over them. Amen.

Prayer For Opportunities to Minister to Them

Lord, I know it is my duty to spread the Word of God and show others the glory that can be found within You. Many people come to faith after seeing Christ’s loved displayed through the ministry of Christians. So today, I pray for opportunities to minister to unbelievers. Help me to spread Your ministry effectively to those who do not know you.

I pray that You work through other Christians, so that they have the ability to minister to nonbelievers too. Lead us all to opportunities to encounter those who do not know Jesus. Let us all be an example of Christian living.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Prayer For God to Extend His Mercy on Them

God, I know that it is Your deepest wish to have all people have faith in You. It must break your heart in seeing someone choose false gods. I pray that You continue to be patient and merciful on those who have not yet found You.

As it is said in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to parish but everyone to come to repentance.

” How blessed are we to have a God that will wait for us to turn our hearts to Him! We are blessed by a merciful and loving God that receives no joy in watching someone perish without knowing His love. Amen.

Источник: //www.beliefnet.com/faiths/prayer/7-effective-prayers-for-nonbelievers.aspx

Prayers for the Dead in the Bible and in Tradition

Prayer For Unbeliever Close to Death

“Where do we find any evidence that praying for the dead is a biblical? From what I have read it appears that the Bible almost says the opposite of this in Ezekiel Chapter 18.

Sure, Ezekiel was talking to Israel prior to the New Covenant that we have in Christ, but it says at the start of the chapter that this came from the word of the LORD and it seems consistent with Romans 2:3-9.

First, let me point out that neither of the passages cited address the question of praying for the dead.

The point of Ezekiel 18 is that a son is neither saved nor condemned because of the righteousness or the sins of his father, and neither is a father saved or condemned because of his son. Also, past righteous will not save a man who falls into sin, nor will past sin condemn a man who turns from his sin. The passage is not about prayers for the dead.

The point of Romans 2:3-9 is that everyone will be judged according to his works. This has nothing to do with prayers for the dead either, unless you assume that we believe that by praying for the dead we could pray an impenitent sinner into heaven, but we do not believe that.

There are, however, passages of Scripture that do address this question. 2nd Maccabees is not in most Protestant Bibles, but it was included in the 1611 King James Bible, and has been considered to be part of Scripture by the Church since the time of the Apostles (see Canon 85 of the Holy Apostles) — and in 2nd Maccabees 12:38-45 we find a very clear example of prayer for the dead.

In the Wisdom of Sirach (which is also listed among Scripture by the Canon 85 of the Apostles), it says: “Give graciously to all the living; do not withhold kindness even from the dead” (Sirach 7:33).

And in 2 Timothy 1:16-18, St. Paul is praying for Onesiphorus, who obviously is no longer among the living:

“The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.”

Jewish Tradition

The text from Second Maccabees that has already been cited is clear evidence that this was the Jewish custom well before the time of Christ, but is also a fact that the Jews continue to pray for the dead.

So if prayers for the dead were some pagan corruption that crept into the Church, one has to wonder how it also crept into Judaism… especially when this would have to have happened before the the time of Christ.

Christian Tradition

When I first began to seriously consider becoming Orthodox, prayers for the dead were on my list of about 5 issues that had to be resolved, but it was also one of the first issues to be scratched off that list, because the evidence that the early Church prayed for the dead is far too ubiquitous to allow one to doubt it. You find it in the earliest texts of the Liturgy. You find it passing comments made by the earliest writers of the Church. You also find them in the catacombs. For example, we have the Epitaph of Abercius, Bishop of Hieropolis, who reposed in 167 A.D., in which he asks for those who read the epitaph to pray for him. When St. Augustine’s pious mother was departing this life, her last request was: “Lay this body anywhere, let not the care for it trouble you at all. This only I ask, that you will remember me at the Lord’s altar, wherever you be” (Confessions 9:27). And quotation upon quotation could be multiplied along these lines.

Prior to the Protestant Reformation, there weren’t any Christians, anywhere, who did not have the custom of praying for the dead.

Conclusion

I remember hearing the story of an Anglican priest who had adamantly opposed prayers for the dead any time the issue was raised, and then after his wife’s death he ceased to speak up on the matter, and was asked about it. He said that he had prayed for his wife every day, since he had met her, and could not bring himself to stop after her death.

Prayer for the dead is a way the living show their love for dead. We also believe that prayers the dead are of some benefit to them, but exactly how these prayers benefit them is not something that the Church has precisely defined.

If someone dies in a state of repentance, but without having had a chance to bring forth all the fruits of repentance, we believe that they are not ready to enter immediately into the presence of God, but that at some point, through the prayers of the Church, they will be.

If someone dies in a state of impenitence, while our prayers are of some benefit to them, those prayers cannot make them worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. But in either case, by praying for the dead, we strengthen our own faith, and come to better entrust our loved ones to God’s mercy.

Update:

For those who want further proof that the Church does not believe that those who die in a state of unrepentance can be prayed hell, consider the following:

St. John of Damascus wrote that those who have departed, unrepentant, and with “an evil life” cannot change their destination from hell to heaven by the prayers of anyone (“On Those Who Have Fallen Asleep in Faith, 21 PG 95,268BC, referenced in “The Mystery of Death,” by Nikolaos P. Vassiliadis, p. 432.

St. John Chrysostom wise speaks of those who are where it is not possible to receive cleansing, and who are outside of the Kingdom of God, but who may receive some consolation by our prayers (Homily “On Not Mourning Bitterly Over the Dead”, PG 60,888-889, referenced in “The Mystery of Death, p.

432-434),

And St. Mark of Ephesus states in his “First Homily, Refuting the Latin Chapters Concerning Purgatorial Fire”:

“But we have received that even the souls which are held in hell are already given over to eternal torments, whether in actual fact and experience or in hopeless expectation of such, as can be aided and given a certain small help, although not in the sense of completely loosing them from torment or giving hope for a final deliverance.

And this is shown from the words of the great Macarius the Egyptian ascetic who, finding a skull in the desert, was instructed by it concerning this by the action of Diving Power.

And Basil the Great, in the prayers read at Pentecost, writes literally the following: “Who also, on this all-perfect and saving feast, art graciously pleased to accept propitiatory prayers for those who are imprisoned in hades, granting us a great hope of improvement for those who are imprisoned from the defilements which have imprisoned them, and that Thou wilt send down Thy consolation” (Third Kneeling Prayer at Vespers). But if souls have departed this life in faith and love, while nevertheless carrying away with themselves certain faults, whether small ones over which they have not repented at all, or great ones for which — even though they have repented over them — they did not undertake to show fruits of repentance: such souls, we believe, must be cleansed from this kind of sins, but not by means of some purgatorial fire or a definite punishment in some place (for this, as we have aid, has not at all been handed down to us). But some must be cleansed in the very departure from the body, thanks only to fear, as St. Gregory the Dialogist literally shows; while others must be cleansed after the departure from the body, either while remaining in the same earthly place, before they come to worship God and are honored with the lot of the blessed, or — if their sins were more serious and bind them for a longer duration — they are kept in hades, but not in order to remain forever in fire and torment, but as it were in prison and confinement under guard. All such ones, we affirm, are helped by the prayers and Liturgies performed for them, with the cooperation of the Divine Goodness and Love for mankind. This Divine cooperation immediately disdains and remits some sins, those committed human weakness, as Dionysius the Great (the Areopagite) says in the “Reflections of the Mystery of those Reposed in Faith” (in The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, VII, 7); while other sins, after a certain time, by righteous judgments it either wise releases and forgives — and that completely — or lightens the responsibility for them until that final Judgment” (see “The Soul After Death”, Appendix I, p. 208f).

Here also is a quote from St. Symeon of Thessalonika’s Liturgical commentary, about commemorations at the Proskomedia:

“And there is no place here [in commemorations at the proskomedia] for unbelievers, let alone for the heterodox. “For what communion does light have with darkness?” since, scripture says, the angels will separate out the evil from the midst of the just.

Therefore it is also not at all right for a priest to make a commemoration of him; neither for a heterodox, or make a commemoration of him neither for those openly sinning and unrepentant. For the offering is to their condemnation, just as it is also for the unrepentant who receive communion of the awe-inspiring mysteries, as the divine Paul says” (St.

Symeon of Thessonika, The Liturgical Commentaries, edited and translated by Steven Hawkes-Teeples, (Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 2001), p. 232f).

Источник: //www.pravmir.com/prayers-dead-bible-tradition/

Five Things to Know When Unbelievers Die

Prayer For Unbeliever Close to Death

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This question falls into the category of the unmentionables: the things we don’t want to think or talk about because of the distinct challenges with death and dying. And when we do think about it, our souls grieve. Hence the question.

Christians are not the only people group who do not want to think about the end of our lives. Unbelievers don’t to give much mental space to this imminent reality.

Death is no respecter of persons. Death does not see color, gender, age, or sexual orientation. Old people will die. Young people may die. And nobody knows when their appointed time will come, but we all know it will arrive.

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. – Hebrews 9:27-28

What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? – Psalm 89:48

This article is for both people groups—those who believe Christ is their Savior and have been regenerated by Him and those who do not believe and have not been born from above.

What Will You Believe?

The Christian belief system is a worldview—the way we think about and respond to life. There was a time when I was not a believer, and then God made me one by the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16).

There was a particular verse He used to convince me that Christianity was the truth and the right kind of life for me (John 14:6). It was a verse about hell—the place we don’t want to think about because of what it means.

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. – Revelation 20:15

Because the Bible does not flatter people (Proverbs 27:6), a verse about hell stirred my interest. Most of the books I read from the self-esteem and positive mental attitude advocates told me how great I was and what potential I had. The Bible had a “counter-to-human-ego” message. It told me that I was worthless (Romans 3:12), a sinner (Romans 3:23), and bound for hell (Matthew 25:30).

Because I had imbibed in the culture’s “you are somebody” message, the declarations from the Bible were shocking. For me, it came down to a watershed issue that would send me in one of two radically different directions.

Through a process of thinking, reading, seeking guidance, and praying, I became a believer. I was born from above, regenerated, adopted, justified, became a child of God, and was no longer alienated from Him (Colossians 1:21-23).

Salvation is a possibility for any person (Matthew 16:24-25; Romans 10:13), but the sad news is, as our Member implies, every person does not believe the gospel message. Every individual does not enter the family of God (John 3:7). They die in their “unforgiven-by-God” sins (John 3:36).

I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. – John 8:24

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? – Ezekiel 18:23

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. – John 5:24

Where Will You Go?

Those who reject the gospel message are just those who accept the gospel message in that they do what they do by faith. I believe what I believe because of faith. They believe what they believe because of faith.

Neither one of us can ultimately prove our points outside of faith because none of us can go to the afterlife until we die. We trust what we believe for a myriad of reasons, but the result is that we have faith claims that ultimately boil down to one of two things: (1) You are a Christian or (2) You are not a Christian.

According to the Christian’s understanding of life and death, there are two possible destinations for humanity. Those who have been born again go to heaven and those who are not born from above go to hell.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. – Daniel 12:2

What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. – Proverbs 10:24

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28

The good news for all people everywhere is the possibility of understanding the gospel message and not go to hell. Even those who have not heard about Jesus can perceive there is a God, which removes the excuse of, “I did not know.”

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. – Romans 1:20

I remember as a child how the greatness of God’s creative power was ever before me. Though the Christians that I knew adulterated their message, Sovereign God broke through my darkness to convince me of His way (Ephesians 4:18).

The Lord saved me in spite of Christian religion, much He can regenerate the person who does not know anything about Christianity. God’s power can penetrate any darkness and open the eyes of the unbelieving regardless of how they were made blind.

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. – 2 Corinthians 4:4

When the Unsaved Die

This article is sobering to write. I feel the weight of my words. There is a truth, which my fellow Member is trying to reconcile in his mind. Becoming a believer does not release you from the tension between heaven and hell; it exacerbates the tension because the believer knows,

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23

As an unbeliever, you can deny or rationalize hell away because non-believers do not want to believe. Believers are the ones who trust, which is why the weight of hell is harder for them to process. They know hell is real, which is why the burden of it can weigh down the unfortified soul.

There is a danger here we must discuss. If not, it will weaken your effectiveness in helping the ones you’re afraid are going to make the eternal mistake. You don’t want that unintended consequence working against your efforts to tell others about the gospel.

Here are five things I want you to consider about death and eternity. If you are not a Christian, I appeal to you to study the Bible verses in this article. Before you fully dismiss the Christian message, do your due diligence. Test our faith claims about God, salvation, heaven, and hell.

God is Good – The main thing to keep in mind regarding the death of unbelievers is the goodness of God. Whenever something weakens your faith, the goodness of God is always in question. In the case of the passing of an unbeliever, you must guard your heart against drifting from the Lord’s goodness.

Isn’t this the accusation of unbelievers? They ask how a good God can send people to hell. Don’t fall for this. What you need to do here is a thorough study of God’s love and justice. A good systematic theology book will help you. Many people have been blessed by Wayne Grudem’s Bible Doctrine because it’s not hard to read.

A systematic theology book is an encyclopedia. You don’t typically read it from cover to cover, but you peruse random topics to learn what the Bible has to say about those issues. The Grudem book would serve you well. Read about God’s love and His justice.

Guilt is Gone – I don’t know how God is going to remove all guilt, but I do believe God’s Word. There is coming a day when all guilt will be gone, which is great news because we all live with the nagging reality of would’ve, should’ve, could’ve.

[The Lord] will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. – 1 Corinthians 1:8-9

There is a sense with all self-aware Christians that we could have done more. Each day brings missed opportunities to tell someone about Christ. Whether it’s because of our fear of man or the busyness of life, we are aware of personal failure when it comes to proclaiming Christ.

I’m not saying our failures are right, and I’m not making an appeal for laziness or apathy. I’m stating reality. While I have no desire to be lazy or ever to stop broadcasting Christ to the world, I know there is always more that I can do.

Even so, I can find rest knowing the Lord will not leave us wallowing in our guilt now or later. It is hard for me to fathom this mercy from God, but I do find hope–through faith–that He can eradicate current guilt as well as future guilt too. For the unbeliever, this is just as awesome. They can also be free from guilt if they would choose to be born again.

Live in Hope – In 1987, someone brutally murdered my brother. He was almost 32-years old. Just three months earlier I shared the message of Christ and how he could be born again. He said to me on that day, “I can’t. I have some things to do.”

My heart sank as the door of his heart closed. I don’t know what all happened to him between me sharing the gospel and his appointment with death. I would to think he was born again, but I know I can’t play mental games here by wishing him into heaven. He may or may not be a Christian. When I arrive in heaven, I will look for my brother. In the meantime I know these two things:

  1. God is good today.
  2. God will be good in the future.

All Things New – Somehow Sovereign Lord will make all things right. Similar to how I think about what He is going to do with my guilt, I also reflect on His miracle-working power in heaven.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4

The would’ve, should’ve, could’ve will be forever obliterated. You ask, “How can this happen?” I have no idea. He did not tell me, but I believe Him. The Lord will make all things new. To be submerged in unresolvable guilt, shame, or fear does not honor the Lord we serve. His grace is greater than all of our anxious or fret-filled thoughts.

Share Christ – You have a choice. You can rest in the goodness of God and His plans for humanity, or you can allow cynicism to assault your faith. If you choose to trust God, you are positioned to do the one thing that is most important when it comes to heaven and hell: share Christ with anyone who will hear. You do have a powerful message for them.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Call to Action

  1. Do you believe God is good regardless of your situation? If not, how do you need to change?
  2. Do guilt’s tentacles keep hold of you? If so, why are you this way, and how do you need to change?
  3. How does the hope you have in Christ settle your soul during difficult times?
  4. How does the “all things new” in heaven affect how you live today?
  5. What hinders you from sharing Christ and what will you do to change?

Источник: //rickthomas.net/five-things-to-know-when-unbelievers-who-die/

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