http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%203:9&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206:9&version=NIV1984
Today we had Don Dillavou speak at our monthly Men of Faith breakfast. Don is basically our Assistant District Superintendent. He shared about the story of Naaman from 2 Kings 5. Interwoven with the story of Naaman, Don shared a personal story. About his dad.Don had a good dad. Not a godly dad. But a good dad. At some point in time Don accepted Christ and was called into ministry. Don’s dad was OK with that. But he, himself, wasn’t ‘in’. And had no desire to be. Over the years Don tried to witness to his dad because he was concerned about his eternal destiny. Though not hostile, his dad wasn’t interested. Don then shared a couple examples of his dad’s opposition to the Gospel over the years.
One day Don’s dad was visiting their house. His granddaughter (Don’s daughter) asked him to come into her bedroom. While checking it out she sat on the bed and opened up a Gospel tract. She was concerned about her grandfather’s soul and wanted to make sure that he knew Jesus as his Savior. As she started to talk about Jesus her grandfather stopped her. No offense, but he wasn’t interested. He left the room. This devastated his granddaughter. She cried.
Later when Don’s daughters (he has 3 of them) went to college he would slip them a little money from time to time. Something to help them out. But when he did so he would always tell them - ‘This money’s for you. Don’t give any of it to the church.’
Well, the years kept going by and Don’s dad kept getting older and older. Finally he reached the ripe, old age of 90. And his wife as well. By this time they had also been married 69 years. So their children and several friends decided to throw a party for them. After the party Don was alone with his dad. His dad asked Don a couple questions. “If a person became a Christian, what kind of changes could they expect to see in their life?” “How does a person become a Christian?” Clearly he was now interested in spiritual matters. So Don answered his dad’s questions the best that he could. But his dad still wasn’t ready. So Don prayed (with his dad’s agreement) that God would guide him in his search.
A couple months later Don was visiting his dad and brought up their previous conversation. Don was curious whether his dad remembered it? And whether he had made any decision yet? Don’s dad did remember it. As they were driving in the car he shared with Don that he was a Christian, and did believe in Jesus as his Savior. Just to make sure Don led his dad in prayer asking Jesus to be his Savior. It was one of the highlights of Don’s life!
What a touching story! And an instructive one as well. As he shared with us this morning, there were many times when Don thought that his dad would never respond to Jesus. So he didn’t pray as often or as fervently as he should have. Yet God was still faithful and his dad finally did believe. At 90! Who knew?
The point is that we should never give up praying for the salvation of others. Family. Friends. Co-workers. Anyone. We know that it is God’s desire that they repent and come to Him in faith. So when we pray for them we know that God is on our side. But when we pray and don’t see any change or interest we can get discouraged. And discouraged people don’t pray very often. Or very passionately. The result is that sometimes we give up. Which we should never do. We need to continue to be faithful to pray. To pray as long and as often as it takes. To not take ‘no’ for an answer.
So, who are you praying for these days? Do you believe that God wants them in the Kingdom? Do you believe that your prayers are making a difference? That God is actively at work, behind-the-scenes, even though you can’t see any evidence of it? Well He is! So keep on praying. Pray hard. Pray often. Never give up. See what God will do!
Lord, I thank you for those unknown people who prayed for me. I praise You that their prayers were answered! Help me to be faithful in my prayers for the lost. Help me to believe that You hear my prayers. That you want these people to come to You. Help me to remain faithful. And in due time may they respond and come into the Kingdom! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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