Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Brother. Your site is such a blessing to me.
My question is can we have an impact on someone’s salvation through our prayers? I have always believed that we could, after all, Jesus said to ask anything in His name and it will be done, it’s certainly in His will and two or more have prayed and claimed it. I just read your response to “Can we save the dead” and now I am wondering if my prayers will help.
I have two daughters, neither of whom are believers. I have spoken in depth with my oldest and she just doesn’t “buy into” Jesus. I pray that they will come to know the Lord before the Rapture. I admit that I am not always a great example to them, I am impatient and do other sins that I ask God to forgive me of. The problem is they don’t see that I am forgiven and redeemed at the cross – they only see me as an imperfect person. But, all this aside I am a loving, frustrated mother.
It’s true that God will not override our sovereignty. If He would we would all be saved because that’s His desire. (2 Peter 3:9) Sadly it’s not His desire that prevails, but ours. He won’t force us to love Him.
In the question you referenced, the person was asking if his prayers would save people who have already died, and I told him it’s too late for them. When we die the decisions of our lives become final.
But while loved ones are still alive we can petition the Lord to give them opportunities to change their minds about Him, and even if they do so with their last breath, they’ll be saved.
Some believe that all of us become saved through the prayers of friends and loved ones. I know I was. You are justified in praying for your daughters for all of their lives if that’s what it takes, and in fact, asking for a child’s salvation has to be one of the most important things a parent can do. We’ll join you.