When I pray for friends who don’t believe Jesus is God, I search Scripture for ways to pray. Just today an encouragement from an old poem came to mind. It’s not Scripture, but you can trace its roots there . . .

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears

I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped; and shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after . . .

God pursues those who need Him, and He involves you in the pursuit. Here’s an interesting insight from Roger Steer’s biography of George Muller (see chapter 20). At age 39 Muller began praying for five friends. They came to Christ after:

— eighteen months
— six years
— twelve years
— fifty-four years
— fifty-seven years

Prayer can be sprint or marathon. Find joy in the running.