Should Prayer Cease?
Upon entering this topic, you should pray in faith to receive its message. It is definitely meant for growth into maturity in Christ, through His Word (Hebrews 5:13:14).
It is easy to assert that prayer should never cease. In I Thessalonians 5:17 we find, “Pray without ceasing.” There are also many other verses that show us the need for consistent, ongoing prayer (Deuteronomy 9:18, Esther 4:16, Daniel 10:2,3, Luke 18:1). Most of us truly need to develop far deeper prayer lives!
We have also seen the many promises made to us for answered prayers, when yielded in true faith (Mark 11:24, I John 3:22, 5:14,15). But it must be understood, that when praying for someone’s salvation, God does not remove that person’s freedom to choose.
Much more prayer on the behalf of others is needed; God is looking for intercessors (Ezekiel 22:30,31). And while God will not force them into choosing salvation, He will be very persuasive! You will see the Lord move mightily in the life of those whom you are praying for—but will not always recognize what’s happening as something particularly “good.” That is because God must reach to the individual in the way he or she will respond to, and we are all so very unique.
Many are familiar with the life testimony of George Mueller, who lived in the 19th century. He is reported to have prayed for the salvation of two friends for some 60 years. One received Christ just before George’s death, the other shortly after. When the Lord lays it on your heart to pray for someone, DO NOT STOP!!! You cannot see all of what God is doing in another person’s life, or how their thoughts and hearts are responding to all that is happening.
Scripturally speaking, we are not given specific direction to continue in extensive prayer for another person’s salvation. We are told to witness; and then to move on without a second thought after we are rejected.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Matthew 10:14,15
So why would the Bible not give us more encouragement into determined prayer for one specific person? I can see several reasons; (1) Salvation is a work of God: It is the Holy Spirit that must move, and convict a person. When we have testified of the truth, and lived it in front of them, this is all we can physically do. We must trust the Lord (Proverbs 3:5,6). (2) Very many people need to hear about salvation: As limited, flesh and blood creatures, we are limited in what we can give attention to. The focus on one person could greatly interfere when it comes to sharing the gospel on a larger scale. (3) God calls us to peace: He does not want us to worry, and directs us simply to share the truth. Once we have done that, God takes over in that person’s life, to reveal Himself to them in other ways.
One great key in all this is to release the person in prayer. Even if it is someone you deeply love, you can pray each day with the mind to release them into God’s all-powerful hands! This will free you to not worry, and to devote the rest of your time and energy to serving the Lord in other ways. Time is running out, so we must learn to redeem the time that we have left.
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:16,17
Within many organized churches today, there is a popular notion that anyone can be saved—if only we will pray enough for them in faith. This notion is quite untrue, when you believe and consider all of God’s Word. It isn’t that we are predestined, or that the Lord doesn’t want all men to come to Him. He simply knows that most people will not repent, and He won’t force them to.
So if we accept these facts as true, we also can know that many are already beyond salvation. Yes, the Bible shows us this, also! And it is possible to know this by the fruits you see, with spiritual discernment. God may send you to them anyway; this shows His faithfulness (II Timothy 2:13), even after being rejected. But when the Lord instructs you to move on, you need to do so. If it is difficult emotionally, ask Him repeatedly to help you.
Again, I would tell you not to cease prayers that you have been led into by the Spirit (not by a pastor or teacher). But I would also tell you not to continue praying for someone when God is showing you to move on. I believe that today, many are continuing in prayer out of an obligation (a yoke) placed upon them by religious leaders, who have not been led by the Spirit though God’s Word! Some would then protest, “What does it hurt to pray a bit more for someone?” The answer is that it hinders how God wants to use you. It displays faithlessness and disobedience, and that you are attempting to please God in service according to your own rules. Now let us look to the Word of God for our teachings in this area; and then I will share personal examples.
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. Exodus 7:3-5
In this passage, God is hardening Pharaoh’s heart so that he will not repent. Pharaoh had one final chance to do the right thing, and he blew it! It doesn’t matter that he is not an Israelite. Even in the Old Testament God had relationships with many who weren’t Jewish; like King Cyrus of Persia, or King Nebuchadnezzar. And the Pharaohs had been right with God, when they first welcomed Israel some 400 years earlier.
And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. I Samuel 3:11-14
During God’s initial call to Samuel, the Lord gave him a prophecy concerning Eli, the high priest. God makes it clear that it will not be possible to turn away His judgment.
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. Jeremiah 7:16
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble. Jeremiah 11:14
Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. Jeremiah 14:11,12
Is there any doubt? Sometimes God is done with trying! His people had so rejected Him that He would not hear their prayers, accept their offerings, notice when they fast, and did not want Jeremiah to pray for them; and warned that He wouldn’t hear his (Jeremiah’s) prayers for them, either! We need to accept that there are times our Lord does not want us to pray for certain individuals. Enough has been done to call them, and they will not hear.
In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD. I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats. Jeremiah 51:39,40
Here God is showing us a perpetual sleep that He sometimes brings upon those that have rejected His ways. They will be comfortable and content in their lives, until it is time for judgment. The parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30) also seems to cover this phenomena, but includes the reason why God waited to bring judgment.
And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel; Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee. But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. Ezekiel 3:4-7
These verses are also at the root of my own calling. Here, God is sending a prophet to people that will not listen. So yes, our faithful Lord may still send another warning—but He is showing us a people that will not repent; even as He has shown this to me in numerous situations.
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Matthew 12:31,32
Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost is the one unpardonable sin. It is more common than most people realize—see our Unpardonable Sin section. This is also referenced in Mark 3:28,29; and Luke 12:9,10.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. Acts 5:3-5
Many know the story of Ananias and Sapphira; the whole story is found in Acts 5:1-11. Clearly, they could no longer repent. And no one was moved to pray for them.
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus…But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. I Corinthians 5:3-5…13
It should be pointed out that the individual spoken of here professed to be a believer, but was living in sin. This was not a legitimate brethren caught in a weak moment. Instead, he was practicing sin and telling the church to accept it! Plain and simple—put him away from the body of Christ. No mention of praying on his behalf, restoring, or tolerating the presence of the individual. He may still be able to repent; but the church’s involvement is done.
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thessalonians 2:10-12
This last days’ prophecy shows that God will bring strong delusions to those who have fallen away, and rejected the truth. They can no longer repent, but are being led to judgment.
Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. I Timothy 1:20
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: II Timothy 4:14
Many today would consider this a “negative” way of dealing with others; but God’s Word gives it a place. The churches today welcome anyone to come inside, when in fact the Lord wants only believers to fellowship together as part of the true church: the body of Christ. Believers are to go into the world and preach, and then those converted would come back to the church (usually a house) for fellowship.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Hebrews 10:26
These verses are often troubling for some, but they really refer to blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. The “willful sin” spoken of is not meant to describe a growing believer; one who intends to obediently serve God and fails. It describes one who has no intention of living a Godly life, but presumes that God will forgive him anyway. This is described well in Hebrews 10:29; a person that “hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace.”
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:16,17
Another example of an impossible repentance, this time speaking of Esau..
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. I John 5:16
This powerful verse plainly shows that there are times when we should not pray for someone. Few people today have the faith to believe God in such ways. Remember that there is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
A short while ago, I mentioned the situation of Steve and Debbie, and of our relationship with them. Debbie is still recovering at home, and Steve is in prison.
Almost all of what we knew of the incident, and their current lives, we learned through the local news service online. As mentioned before, we had no contact with them for at least over 5 years, and probably more like 6 years. We read that both have considerable health issues; and one report mentioned something about “brain lesions” diagnosed in Steve. To us that was an automatic alert for the presence of devils. Our inner response to that information was, “Uh-oh.”
Remember that a kingdom divided against itself will not stand. God would never allow His true children to contract a disease that causes sinful/Satanic behavior! Our God is a healer. Illness may come to a true believer for various reasons (see our section on The Healing from God), but it will not bear fruit contrary to Godly behavior. We must seek the Lord for discernment.
Then another natural question that followed was whether or not to visit him. There was no great inner motivation, I assure you! Yet we believers walk obediently by faith, not feelings. God’s Word plainly shows that we are to have compassion, and to visit the imprisoned. It was my duty (Luke 17:10); and if I were in Steve’s place, I would find it good to know that I had a supportive friend.
To visit Steve in prison, I had to be on a list of visitors which Steve provided. So I wrote him and offered my friendship whether in visitation, or by mail. He wasted no time in writing back to me…
The letter I had sent was extremely gentle and unassuming. It was really from the Lord, because my own wisdom for the correct words in this situation was really at a loss. The Lord really provided the right words, as I greatly sensed His anointing. What was Steve’s response? It was very angry, and bitter—full of accusations. Frankly, it seemed the type of reaction a devil may have when confronted by the Lord!
A strong discernment tool God has given me is to hold up (stand upon) His Word. When I do this, it becomes very revealing of the spiritual condition of those around me. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice: and if a man loves Him, he will keep His (Jesus’) Words (John 10:27; 14:23). I have found that the Word really is as it claims to be, “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”—Hebrews 4:12
In Steve’s response, he said he’d be glad to take my prayers, but that I shouldn’t use the Bible when communicating with him! So which God did he want me to pray to? This also confirmed his spiritual condition: children of God love the Word, and run to it for direction, comfort, and guidance. Satan hates the Word, because it exposes and overcomes him! This is told us plainly in John 3:19-21:
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:19-21
So I did my Christian duty in regard to Steve, and his response was revealing. In prayer, the Lord brought back to me details of our affiliation from those years before. Each time that we spoke in depth, and I brought up scripture that applied, he would rebuff it! Really, there was never any in-depth sharing about Jesus making a difference in his life. Church attendance, helpfulness, and a professed belief in God were the full extent of any actions. The Lord showed me that Steve never had a saving relationship with Christ. He told me to respond once more, and let him go.
How, then, to respond? I prayed deeply, again going into writing with Holy Ghost anointing—I was really blessed! The Lord had shown me Steve’s spiritual condition, and that devils were controlling him, and that he will not repent. Yet even with that knowledge, I still had to offer him a hand from the Lord. I stood on the Word of God, and showed him the way out (spiritually). It was with great compassion and sincerity—nothing heavy handed, but the freeing truth (John 8:32).
This time when Steve responded he flatly told me to leave him alone (he left an opening the first time). He said that he didn’t read my letter, and never wanted to deal with me again. I am uncertain if he actually read it, but I’m sure someone with the prison administration did! It is so sad to me that they will only ever see in Steve, a disturbed inmate. They do not know of the great negative changes that have come over him, nor will they offer any real help. America imprisons more of its citizens than any other nation! Even more than communist China, which has over 4 times our number in population! Given his condition and age, Steve will likely die in prison.
My grandmother was another example. Her eternal fate was the same as Steve’s, but her physical life has ended. For privacy’s sake, I will refer to her as Mary.
While growing up, I was never close to my grandparents. Why, I do not know. But even as an adult, I never got close to them. They seemed to be well-liked, and reported as good neighbors by those who knew them. I now believe that this was mostly due to my grandfather’s influence.
It was only after my mother’s funeral that I drew close to Mary. She was on her own now, entirely. Her husband had passed away seven years before, and now all of her children were deceased, too. This was shortly before her 84th birthday. While I had always thought of my grandparents as very self-sufficient, I now began to see that there was a need in Mary’s life that I might help with.
Visits became more and more frequent over time, and I would help around the home and property as best I was able. Like so many, Mary had a strong belief in God, and went to church regularly (Sunday morning only). The devil also has those qualities.
By the time I was becoming more involved with Grandma Mary, my spiritual discernment had also grown considerably. We spoke regularly of spiritual things; such as salvation, and the false faith of Catholicism. I wanted to be sure that she was truly saved. There was no overbearing push for this, just a gentle prodding. After all, she had devoutly attended Protestant churches (mostly Lutheran) all of her life—she had no doubt been exposed to the message of true salvation many times.
When someone is in a religious deception, it becomes almost impossible for them to repent. They usually become enveloped in a type of spiritual pride, and get very comfortable with their lives. They feel that they are far away from sin, and are not compelled to “hunger and thirst” after righteousness.
Mary exemplified this type of person. As time went on, I could observe many troubling things about her actions and attitudes. There is much I could share to show this to you, but it would become far too lengthy. I will share just two examples. (1) She told me that if she were visiting a dying person, she would never trouble them with talk of salvation! She apparently felt the timing for such a talk would be inconvenient! (2) During a hospital stay, she was diagnosed with a blood clot. The Lord led me to pray for her—and He healed her, all glory to God! When the doctors went to examine her further the next day, they found no clot. I heard her speak to several people about her hospital stay—there was no mention of even our prayers, let alone God’s healing. When I questioned her on this, she replied, “Oh, yeah—I thought of that.”
Mary had an extremely demanding and selfish side which appeared every so often. I found that she had alienated many family members by deeply hurting them, and never would offer apologies. It was so with me, as well. Only my sense of duty because of Christ helped me hang in there. And then my wife came along, and without her strength I could not have continued with Mary. As I was also to discover, this “selfish” side was really not due to age; she had a very long history of this type of behavior.
We were with her at least once a week for the last two years or so; more often when needs arose. As 2005 was winding down, we were keenly aware of her deteriorating physical condition. In November, I began to seek the Lord about praying for her departure (death).
Some would register shock at even the consideration of such prayers. Yet death is a forecasted appointment that each one of us has to meet, even if we don’t know the place and time. For believers, there should not be a fear of death—but a longing to be with our beloved Savior, in bodies that will not become ill or old. Even many non-believers begin to long for death, when they become aware that their bodies are failing. My grandmother was at this point (age 91) in her life. Could I really pray for her to pass on? All of our motives were upright in God’s eyes. Only one nagging question remained; was Mary ready to die? As I reflected on this in prayer, it was sadly beyond any doubt that she did not know Jesus Christ as her savior.
Knowing this, we began to pray that God would reveal Himself to her. That she might at last turn to Jesus in repentance for salvation. When the Lord does this, it is unique to each person. Some respond out of fear, some are moved by God’s love and blessing, some come to Him when a nagging question has to be answered. Our prayers, therefore, were that the Lord would reveal Himself to Mary as He knew best…
Different things started to happen at Mary’s home. She began to hear many noises at night, and was asking me to check areas of the home for signs of intrusion. We never could find any physical evidence to explain what she had heard. My wife observed how these noises had started and grown with our prayers that God would reveal Himself! This He did quite well, and at least Jamie and I got the message…
My grandmother was beyond salvation. Fear was really the only avenue upon which the Lord could reach her in any way; and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The final weekend of this nightly “noise” issue was the clinching revelation. Mary was extensively sharing about what she heard, and her anxiety. My inclination was quite a natural one—share verses from the Bible for her comfort, and strengthening. Without sharing my intent, I simply went out to my car and got the Bible I keep in it…
Never would I have expected the reactions I got—the devil(s) within her were screaming! My wife said she had never seen such a facial expression of anger/hatred as that on my grandmother, when she observed me carrying the Bible. Remember? Hold up the light, and watch the reactions! You would expect a professing Christian to welcome words of comfort from the Lord—but Mary attacked me before I could even open the Bible. It was a long tirade, putting me down for wanting to “preach” to her—a woman of vastly superior age and “wisdom” (see Job 32:9).
Of course, I did not back away! I assured her that I was only going to share promises of comfort that God has given, and that her defensiveness was not warranted. It took some time for us to reach a moderation point, and I do not believe that we even got to share a single verse. It would not have been received, anyway!
When we sat down for lunch, she asked me to say grace (as usual). Just before that prayer, it was my turn to be the recipient of the most hateful glare I can ever recall receiving. I knew that there was also a devil at our lunch table!
This was God’s point of clarity with us, and we then knew that Mary had received plentiful calls from God, and would not repent. We knew that we could then pray for the end to come.
One month later she was admitted to the hospital, diagnosed with congestive heart failure. About two weeks after that, she was gone. She enjoyed visiting with relatives that she hadn’t seen in years, and at times seemed to revel in the attention she was given. Her true self continued to come out—no talk of Christ, or looking forward to heaven. She was extremely bound to the things of this earth, dispensing “last minute” directions to all—again demanding that things be just the way she wanted! She once even threatened to “get me” if things were not just as she ordered! With a chuckle, I reminded her that I would be far beyond her reach. She just couldn’t let go of this life; it was all that she had.
We later discovered that Mary had been placed in a mental institution when she was younger, after two of her young children had died. During this time she was even given electric shock treatments! Where were the supposed “Christians” in her life? Was there no faith to intercede in prayer? Our God is a healer, it is a benefit which He gives us (Psalms 103:3, I Peter 2:24). Honestly, I can only question about the distant past: I do not have the clarity to know all of the particular issues. Yet we saw with sadness the end of that physical life, without the hope of Heaven.
More examples of this could follow, but these that have been shared will hopefully open your eyes to different ways that the Lord may lead you. It should not depend on popular opinion or practices, but upon the Word of God (II Timothy 3:16,17) and the leading of the Holy Spirit (I John 2:27). I believe that such issues help to deepen our spiritual walk, as we earnestly seek the Lord for direction.
WARNING: To avoid Satan’s snares and deceptions, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will tend to bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27.
Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist.
Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Word of God section and the section on A Sure Salvation vs. Eternal Security.