God's Sovereignty and Prayer for Others' Salvation

The concept of God's sovereignty is deeply intertwined with the practice of praying for others' salvation. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's sovereignty refers to "his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure" ^[4]. This understanding is rooted in various biblical passages, including Daniel 4:25, 35, Romans 9:15-23, and Revelation 4:11 ^[4].

The Bible encourages believers to pray for the salvation of others. In Romans 10:1, the Apostle Paul expresses his "heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites... for their salvation" ^[2]. This demonstrates that praying for others' salvation is a biblical practice, even for those who may not be considered elect. The Psalms also contain numerous prayers for salvation, such as Psalms 79:9, which asks God to "deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake" ^[1].

The relationship between God's sovereignty and prayer is complex. On one hand, God's sovereignty implies that He has a plan for the salvation of individuals, and that He is capable of accomplishing it without human intervention. On the other hand, Scripture encourages believers to pray for others' salvation, suggesting that prayer plays a role in God's plan.

One tradition interprets this tension by understanding God's sovereignty as compatible with human prayer. According to this view, prayer is not a means of changing God's plan, but rather a means of participating in it. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, "Access to God... Is by Christ... Is by the Holy Spirit... Obtained through faith" ^[6]. This suggests that prayer is a means of aligning oneself with God's will, rather than attempting to change it.

The idea that prayer can be a means of participating in God's plan is supported by various biblical passages. For example, Psalms 106:47 asks God to "save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations" ^[3]. This prayer is not a request for God to change His plan, but rather a request for Him to accomplish His purposes.

The practice of praying for others' salvation is also rooted in the biblical command to love one's enemies and to pray for those who persecute them. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, "Christ prayed for his enemies" (Luke 23:34), and believers are encouraged to do the same ^[7]. This practice is not limited to praying for the salvation of friends and family, but extends to all individuals, regardless of their relationship to the believer.

The theological underpinnings of praying for others' salvation are closely tied to the doctrine of election. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, "there is an election of individuals to eternal life" (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:2; John 13:18) ^[5]. However, this doctrine is not universally understood, and different traditions have varying interpretations.

Some traditions, such as the Reformed tradition, emphasize the sovereignty of God in election, while others, such as the Wesleyan tradition, emphasize the role of human free will. Adam Clarke, a Wesleyan commentator, notes that Christ's prayer in John 17:20-26 is "for all who would believe on His name, through the preaching of the apostles and their successors" ^[9]. This suggests that, in the Wesleyan view, God's sovereignty is not limited to a predetermined elect, but is rather compatible with human response to the gospel.

The biblical basis for praying for others' salvation is clear, and the practice is supported by various theological traditions. As Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, notes, Christ's prayer in John 17:11 is "for spiritual blessings in heavenly things... that they might be kept from sin, and furnished for their duty, and brought safely to heaven" ^[8]. This understanding of prayer as a means of participating in God's plan for the salvation of others is a common thread throughout Christian tradition.

The practice of praying for others' salvation is a demonstration of love and concern for their spiritual well-being. As the Apostle Paul notes in 2 Thessalonians 1:12, the ultimate goal of Christian living is to "magnify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" ^[10]. Praying for others' salvation is a means of participating in this goal, and is a vital aspect of Christian discipleship.

Sources

Psalms “Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake. -- Psalms 79:9”
Romans “Romans 10:1 (BSB) — Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.”
Psalms “Psalms 106:47 (NASB) — Save us, O LORD our God, And gather us from among the nations, To give thanks to Your holy name And glory in Your praise.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Enemies — Christ prayed for his -- Lu 23:34. The lives of, to be spared -- 1Sa 24:10; 2Sa 16:10,11. The goods of, to be taken care of -- Ex 23:4,5. Should be Loved. -- Mt 5:44. Prayed for. -- Ac 7:60. Assisted. -- Pr 25:21; Ro 12:20. Overcome by kindness. -- 1Sa 26:21. Rejoice not at the misfortunes of -- Job 31:29. Rejoice not at the failings of -- Pr 24:17. Desire not the death of -- 1Ki 3:11. Curse them not -- Job 31:30. Be affectionately concerned for -- Ps 35:13. The friendship of, deceitful -- 2Sa 20:9,10; Pr 26:26; 27:6; Mt 26:48,49. God defends against -- Ps ”
John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 17:11: After the general pleas with which Christ recommended his disciples to his Father's care follow the particular petitions he puts up for them; and, 1. They all relate to spiritual blessings in heavenly things. He does not pray that they might be rich and great in the world, that they might raise estates and get preferments, but that they might be kept from sin, and furnished for their duty, and brought safely to heaven. Note, The prosperity of the soul is the best prosperity; for what relates to this Christ came to purchase and bestow, and so teaches us to seek, in ”
John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 17:20: III. Our Lord's Prayer for His Church, and for All Who Would Believe on His Name, Through the Preaching of the Apostles and Their Successor. Joh 17:20-26. See on Joh 17:1 (note). Neither pray I for these alone - This prayer extends itself through all ages, and takes in every soul that believes in the Lord Jesus. And what is it that Christ asks in behalf of his followers? The greatest of blessings: unity, peace, love, and eternal glory.”
2 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Thessalonians 1:12: That the name of our Lord - This is the great end of your Christian calling, that Jesus who hath died for you may have his passion and death magnified in your life and happiness; that ye may show forth the virtues of him who called you from darkness into his marvellous light. And ye in him - That his glorious excellence may be seen upon you; that ye may be adorned with the graces of his Spirit, as he is glorified by your salvation from all sin. According to the grace - That your salvation may be such as God requires, and such as is worthy of his grace to co”

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