Have you ever felt helpless watching a loved one wander far from faith, wondering if anything could truly change their heart?
Imagine tapping into a power that can break through the hardest barriers, a power that transforms lives from the inside out. That power is prayer—and when we pray for non-believers, we're inviting the God of the universe to work miracles in their lives.
In this post, you will discover how praying God’s Word over their life can unlock doors you never imagined and watch as His power transforms even the hardest of hearts.
Praying for non-believers can sometimes feel like a daunting task, especially when the change you hope to see seems distant. But don’t be discouraged—your prayers are powerful and effective!
The Bible is full of promises and truths that we can stand on when interceding for others. In this post, you’ll discover how to use specific scriptures to guide your prayers, equipping you with the tools to bring your loved ones closer to God. Be encouraged, knowing that your prayers are sowing seeds of faith, and trust that God is working behind the scenes in ways you can’t yet see.
Why Pray for Non-Believers?
As believers, we’re called to be lights in the world and to reflect Jesus's love and grace to others. Praying for non-believers isn’t just about asking for their salvation—it’s about inviting God to work in their hearts and to break down the barriers that prevent them from seeing His love.
1. Biblical Mandate:
The Bible clearly calls us to intercede for others, including those who don’t yet believe.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, we are instructed to pray for all people, including leaders and those in authority, “so that all may be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” This shows that intercessory prayer is a powerful tool God uses to reach people. When we pray for others, we partner with God’s heart and His desire to save them.
2. God’s Desire for All to Be Saved:
When we pray for non-believers, our prayers are far from empty or ineffective. We can be confident that God hears every word we lift up to Him. As 1 John 5:14 assures us, “this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Even when the results of our prayers aren’t immediately visible, it doesn’t mean they aren’t being answered. Trust that God is at work, even when we can’t yet see the outcome.
3. Power of Intercession:
Here is another encouraging reason to pray for non-believers in your family, friends or co-workers:
God desires for all to be saved!
It’s comforting to know that God deeply desires the salvation of every person.
2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come
to repentance.”
Praying for non-believers aligns our hearts with His will and purpose for their lives. We can trust that as we pray, God is already at work, patiently drawing them closer to Himself.
Prayer is not just words spoken into the air—it is spiritual warfare.
2 Corinthians 10:4 reminds us that “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”
When we pray for non-believers, we are actively participating in the breaking down of spiritual strongholds that keep them from seeing the light of the gospel. Through prayer, we can ask God to soften their hearts, open their eyes, and remove the barriers that keep them from understanding the truth of His love.
Praying for non-believers may seem like a slow and invisible process, but every prayer is a powerful seed planted in faith. Trust that in God’s perfect timing, those seeds will take root and flourish.
Powerful Scriptures to Pray for Non-Believers
When praying for non-believers, using scripture as a guide makes our prayers more powerful and aligned with God’s will. By praying the Bible, we know we’re asking for things God already desires, like salvation and transformation.
Personalizing these scriptures—praying specific verses over individuals—makes our prayers even more intentional. This approach gives us confidence because we’re standing on God’s promises, trusting that His Word will accomplish what He intends, even if we don’t see immediate results. Keep praying in faith, knowing that God’s Word is active and powerful in the lives of non-believers.
Here is an example of how to pray scriptures over a person:
Personalizing the Scriptures: One of the most powerful ways to pray for non-believers is by personalizing scripture. Instead of simply reading a verse, insert the name of the person for whom you are praying.
For example, if you’re praying Ezekiel 36:26, you might say, “Lord, I pray that You remove the heart of stone from [Name] and give them a heart of flesh.” By doing this, you’re making the prayer specific to their life, and you’re asking God to move directly in their heart and situation. This makes your prayers not only more intentional but also more powerful because they are grounded in God’s Word and focused on a particular individual.
Here are Bible verses for you to pray over your family, friends, and everyone you come into contact with:
1. Ezekiel 36:26
Scripture: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Prayer: Lord, I pray that You remove the heart of stone from _______ and replace it with a heart of flesh. Soften their heart to receive Your love and truth.
2. 2 Corinthians 4:4
Scripture: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
Prayer: Father, I ask that You lift the veil from _______'s eyes so they may see the truth of the gospel. Remove the spiritual blindness that prevents them from seeing Your light.
3. Acts 26:18
Scripture: "To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
Prayer: Lord, open the eyes of _______ and turn them from darkness to light. Let them experience the freedom and forgiveness found in You.
4. John 6:44
Scripture: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day."
Prayer: Father, I ask You to draw _______ to Yourself. Show them Your grace and pull them closer to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
5. Romans 10:1
Scripture: "Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved."
Prayer: Lord, just as Paul prayed for the salvation of his people, I pray for _______ to be saved. May they come to know You and accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
6. Romans 10:14
Scripture: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
Prayer: Lord, I pray that You send someone to speak Your truth to _______. May their ears be opened to hear the message of Your love and salvation.
7. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Scripture: "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
Prayer: God, it is Your will that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. I lift up _______ to You, asking that they come to know You and receive Your saving grace.
8. 2 Peter 3:9
Scripture: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for Your patience with _______. I ask that You lead them to repentance so they may not perish but receive eternal life.
9. Colossians 1:13-14
Scripture: "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Prayer: Father, I pray that You rescue _______ from the dominion of darkness and bring them into Your glorious kingdom. Let them experience redemption and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
10. Romans 8:26-27
Scripture: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I ask You to intercede for _______ when I don’t know how to pray. Move in their life in ways that only You can, leading them to faith in Jesus.
11. John 17:20-21
Scripture: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you."
Prayer: Jesus, I pray for those who will come to believe in You through the testimony of others, especially _______. May they come to know You and be united in the family of believers.
12. Isaiah 55:11
Scripture: "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Prayer: Lord, I speak Your Word over _______, trusting that it will not return void but will accomplish Your purposes in their life. Let Your Word penetrate their heart and bring them to faith.
13. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Scripture: "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Prayer: Lord, I pray that You demolish the strongholds in _______’s life that stand against Your truth. Tear down every argument and false belief that keeps them from knowing You. Help _______ take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ so that they may come into alignment with Your will and purpose.
14. James 1:5
Scripture: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
Prayer: Father, I ask that You grant _______ the wisdom they need to understand Your truth. You give wisdom generously to all who ask, and I pray that _______ will come to You seeking that wisdom so they may be guided in all their decisions and ultimately find their way to You.
15. Ephesians 2:8-9
Scripture: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Prayer: Lord, I pray that _______ will come to understand that salvation is a gift of grace, not something earned by works. Help _______ to receive this precious gift through faith. Let them see that Your grace is sufficient and that You offer it freely to all who believe in You.
16. Titus 3:5
Scripture: "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."
Prayer: Merciful God, I pray that _______ will come to know Your mercy and realize that it is not by their deeds that they are saved, but by Your mercy alone. Let _______ experience the rebirth and renewal that comes through the Holy Spirit, and may their heart be transformed by Your saving grace.
17. Galatians 3:26
Scripture: "So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith."
Prayer: Father, I pray that _______ will come to place their faith in Christ Jesus and become a child of God. Draw _______ to Yourself, that they may receive the adoption into Your family through faith in Jesus, and know the joy and security of being called Your child.
18. 1 Peter 1:3-5
Scripture: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for Your great mercy and the living hope that comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I pray that _______ will experience this new birth and come to know the hope that is found only in You. Open their heart to receive the inheritance You have prepared for them, an inheritance that will never perish, spoil, or fade. Through faith, may _______ be shielded by Your power until the fullness of salvation is revealed in their life.
19. Acts 2:38
Scripture: "Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’"
Prayer: Lord, I pray that _______ will hear Your call to repentance and turn to You with a sincere heart. May they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let Your Spirit fill their heart with truth, love, and conviction, guiding them on the path of salvation and a life transformed by Your grace.
20. Isaiah 55:7
Scripture: "Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that _______ will forsake their old ways and unrighteous thoughts. Give them the strength to turn away from anything that separates them from You. I ask that they would turn to You, Lord, and find Your abundant mercy and forgiveness. Freely pardon _______, just as You have promised, and bring them into a relationship with You that is marked by Your love and grace.
Summary:
Praying for non-believers is one of the most powerful and loving acts a believer can do. By lifting others up in prayer, you invite God's presence and power into their lives, trusting that He can soften hearts, open eyes, and draw them closer to Him.
As you commit to praying for those who do not yet know Christ, remember that God's word is a source of strength and wisdom - using scripture as the foundation for your prayers ensures that you are aligning your heart with His will.
Be persistent, be faithful, and know that every prayer you offer makes a difference. The seeds that you plant through prayer may take time to grow but trust that God moves in the hearts of those you love.
To help you stay consistent in prayer, I’ve created a printable prayer journal with all 20 Bible verses included. You can use it to record your prayers, track how God is working, and continue interceding for those who have yet to believe. If you've already purchased the prayer resource bundle, simply login to download it. ( It is also in our super-saver devotional Bible study bundle) Or, if you haven’t yet, you can grab your copy in the Scriptural Grace Shop. Let this journal be a tool to guide you as you stand in faith, trusting God's perfect timing to draw hearts to Him.
Unlock the transformative power of prayer with our "Powerful Scriptures to Pray for Non-Believers Printable Prayer Journal. This thoughtfully designed 20-page digital journal is the perfect guide to help you intercede for loved ones, friends, and acquaintances who have yet to know the saving grace of Christ.
What's Inside:
3 Pages of Encouragement: Dive deep into what the Bible says about praying for non-believers, with practical guidance on how to pray scripture-based prayers. You'll find uplifting reminders of God's faithfulness and the importance of persistent prayer.
Personal Prayer List: Stay organized and intentional with a dedicated page to record the names of those you're praying for, along with the dates you prayed and when your prayers were answered. This helps you keep track of God's work in the lives of others.
Scripture Reference Page: A convenient list of powerful scriptures tailored for praying over non-believers, ensuring you're always equipped with God's Word.
20 Personalized Scripture Prayers: Experience the power of praying God's Word by inserting the name of the person you're praying for into 20 personalized scripture prayers. Each page leaves space for you to fill in names, making your prayers specific, heartfelt, and powerful.
Benefits of Praying Personalized Scripture Prayers:
Powerful and Effective: Scripture prayers are rooted in the truth of God's Word, aligning your requests with His will. This amplifies the impact of your prayers and invites God's promises to manifest in the lives of non-believers.
Deepens Your Faith: As you pray God's Word over others, you are constantly reminded of His love, faithfulness, and power. Your own faith will be strengthened as you witness answered prayers and transformed lives.
Keeps You Focused: The journal helps you stay consistent in your prayer life, preventing distractions by offering a structured and meaningful way to pray for others.
Increases Gratitude: Documenting when prayers are answered allows you to reflect on God's goodness and celebrate His work in the lives of those you've prayed for.
Why You'll Love This Prayer Journal:
Printable & Convenient: Being a digital download, you can instantly access and print the journal at your convenience. This means you can start your prayer journey immediately, whenever and wherever you are.
Personalized for Impact: The unique feature of adding names to each prayer allows you to pray more intentionally and see the power of specific prayer in action.
Uplifting & Encouraging: Whether you're new to prayer or a seasoned intercessor, this journal will provide you with the encouragement, direction, and tools to pray effectively for the salvation of those you care about.
If you're passionate about seeing hearts and lives transformed by God's love, this printable prayer journal is for you. Download today and begin your journey of powerful, scripture-filled prayer for non-believers.
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xx Karen.