Lydia was the first convert to Christianity from the European continent. Her conversion can teach us how to pray for the lost. First, we see that she was a “worshipper” of God. This Greek word, “sebo,” means to show reverence. We are introduced to her while she is attending a river prayer meeting.

Principle # 1: Pray that God will bring them to the place where they reverence God. Secondly, we see that she was “listening.” This word is in the imperfect tense, which stresses continuous action in the past. God had gotten her attention so that she was a listener.

Principle #2: Pray that the Lord will get their attention and turn them into listeners. Thirdly, The Lord opened her heart to respond. The word respond means; “To hold to the course.”

Principle #3: Pray that the Lord would open their heart so they will respond by taking hold of the course of the gospel.

Fred Butcher
Elder