I prayed for the salvation of someone who is very dear to me. I couldn’t stop crying, I begged the Lord with all my heart. In my head, like simple thoughts, the following appeared: “He belongs to me, he is mine.” The Holy Spirit spoke to me in a still voice before just like that, but sometimes I’m not sure if it is truly Him or just my own thoughts. How could I know for sure that it was indeed the Holy Spirit assuring me? Should I ask the Lord for further proof?
I guess you could ask the Lord to confirm what He told you. But since you’ve heard Him speak like that before, I think you should stand in faith that it was really Him and begin rejoicing. Remember as you do that the Lord often says things in the present tense that are still in the future for us. This means as far as He’s concerned the matter is settled.
If you don’t see immediate indications of change in your friend, don’t be too concerned. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in his life in fulfillment of Phil. 1:6, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
In the King James translation James 5:16 says “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth much.” The Greek word translated “effectual, fervent” is “energeo” It means “active ” or “operative” and is the word from which we get “energy.” You weren’t just going through the motions, mouthing words you’ve heard. You bared your soul to the Lord and prayed an energetic, powerful prayer, full of passion. His response was to give you His answer immediately. Stand on it.