We all know people who don’t know Jesus. Some, we may have known our entire lives, so we know a lot about them. Others we don’t know much about. They could be members of our families, close friends, or co-workers. Whatever the case, we love them and pray that they would know Jesus in the pardon of their sins. 

If you’re like me, you can get discouraged when you’ve been praying for someone for years, and they seem no closer to God than when you first started praying for them. Some may have seemed to have gone further away from being saved than when you first started praying for them! However, instead of being discouraged, I want you to think about Manasseh, the king of Judah.

Manasseh reigned for 55 years and did “more evil than the Amorites who preceded him” (2 Kings 21:11 NIV). When we read about Manasseh in 2 Kings 21, it looks like there’s no hope for him. He’s worse than all of the kings that came before him. In 2 Chronicles 33, we read that “the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they did not listen” (10 BSB). 

It occurs to me that if Manasseh didn’t listen to the Lord when he spoke to him, the things I say to those I love who I pray for might also fall on deaf ears. However, it also occurs to me that I shouldn’t give up because look at what happens to Manasseh next.

So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God (emphasis added).

2 Chronicles 33:11-13 (NIV)

If the Lord can take Manasseh, who was corrupt and evil. A man who “shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end” and turned him around, then God can do it for those we pray for who don’t yet know him (2 Kings 21:16 NIV). This is why we must never give up on God. Instead, we must pray, trust, and believe He will work it out. No matter what things look like. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey. 

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