Concerned

Dear Judy, I've been praying for my brother's salvation for many years. My mom prayed for him before she passed away. He seems to be getting further from believing in Jesus. I don't understand the place of prayer and free will. How can my brother's mind change to start believing something he thinks is a myth? I love my brother. He is getting old and I'm concerned for his salvation.

Dear Concerned,

Many people can relate to this question, myself included. Our job is to tell people the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it is the Holy Spirit to bring the increase to their heart. This scripture helps me understand this: Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)

God created all people with a free will. Each person has to accept the truth and realize they are a sinner and that Jesus took their sin on the cross, died, was resurrected, and is sitting now at the right hand of the Father in Heaven!

Prayer causes movement in the spiritual realm and is in accordance with the will of the Father. The Lord wants no one to perish so when we are praying for someone, I believe it is only a matter of time before somehow and somewhere the timing of the Holy Spirit will bring the increase of faith into their heart to receive Jesus as their Savior. My job is to speak to them which is planting seeds and keep watering that seed with prayer until it increases to salvation! My job also is to not compromise my belief and to live a godly life showing others the light of Jesus Christ. We are to be in the world but not of it. We are to not act, talk, or look like the world.

We stand in faith for others knowing that only God truly knows the heart of a person, and it is His will that all be saved. So no matter what we are seeing, we just keep praying and believing that the Holy Spirit is working in their heart.

Recent Dear Judy Posts

Joy wall decoration
By Dr. Judy Baus April 7, 2025
What is the difference between being happy and having joy? Aren’t they the same?
4 people looking at starry night sky
By Dr. Judy Baus March 10, 2025
March 2025 Dear Judy What does it mean to have faith?
Let go, let God.
By Dr. Judy Baus February 2, 2025
February 2025 Dear Judy, I hear the word “saved” a lot. Can you explain what “saved” is? And how do you get it? --Anonymous
the cross painted on a wall
By Dr. Judy Baus January 8, 2025
Well, let me start with the most important thing you bring up. I noticed the word I THINK in your question. Just because you go to church does not mean you are a born-again believer.
Show More

Recent Food For Thought Articles

Woman covering her eyes
By Dr. Judy Baus April 7, 2025
Everywhere we look, so many people are going through horrible things. Every time I take a hot shower, the Lord brings to my mind how many people have no water at all! Bad weather and fires have destroyed so many lives. People without the Lord have no hope. But those who have received Jesus as their personal Savior and are trusting HIM and His Promises found in their manual for success (the Bible) – they have hope!
Wilderness landscape
By Dr. Judy Baus March 10, 2025
Have you ever thought about the word “wilderness” and what that means for the Christian and the non-Christian? To be a Christian we must believe—which is to trust and have confidence that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again! Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Hills on fire
By Dr. Judy Baus February 2, 2025
STAY WATCHFUL! I am sure we can all agree, 2025 started off with much tragedy and woe! Terrorist attacks killing many, devastating fires in the LA area, a horrible plane and helicopter collision, and another plane crash two days later! Many families in mourning. Truly, the devil is out to steal, kill, and destroy, and sadly, he’s doing a good job at it. But remember, our Lord is far greater than the devil, and He is ultimately in control.
JESUS on the cross
By Dr. Judy Baus January 8, 2025
Christianity 101—Life with God after Salvation We are living in very tough times that are only getting harder. As followers of Jesus, we should be strong in the Lord and full of faith, experiencing the God of the impossible. But are we? Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I believe Jesus is looking at us and our fellowships and asking if we truly believe this. Are we living this Scripture out to a watching world?
Show More