Yesterday I ran into a former employee of mine. Those interactions are always interesting because they are filled with small talk that allows you to catch up on events but doesn’t give you any insight into how they really are. This “divine appointment” was different, sadly. To be sure, this employee and I used to have conversations about life and our need of a Savior. I tried to always point her to the Lord as the answer to her problems. I even invited her to join my family at church. There was always an interest and even an acknowledgement of her need, but never any movement. She was always “searching”. When she left, she believed that she had found her happiness in the opportunities that awaited her. Even after she left I heard from mutual friends that she was interested in attending their church. Nothing ever came of it. Over the last year or so, I have forgotten to pray for her.

As we talked, she told me about how she had just finished a milestone in her life and was excited about that BUT was bummed because she now had to deal with some life issues that she had been putting off. In the short time that we talked I could see the same emptiness that bothered her when she worked for me. I was reminded, convicted and saddened about my lack of prayer for unbelievers that are in my life, or in this case, used to be in my life. I recently started making a list of “Prayer for People Needing Jesus”. This list consists of people in need of salvation and/or people in need of experiencing Christ in all His power and glory in a special and particular way (i.e. suffering, trial, persecution, lukewarm living). It is easy to add names to this list but it is an entirely different task to actually pray for them each day. In reality, my name should be at the top of that list. I need Christ to demonstrate His glory in my prayer for others. I need Christ to show His faithfulness in consistently bringing me to my knees on behalf of others. I need Christ if I am going to endure to the end.

I encourage you to think about family and friends, past and present, who need Jesus. Write their names down. Pray for them today. Keep that list in a place where you will see it again. Let’s be faithful in prayer.