We are praying for this individual, that they would come to a full understanding and acceptance of the grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ. It is important to note that the thief on the cross who turned to Jesus and asked, "Remember me when You come into Your Kingdom" (Luke 23:42 WEB) received a promise of paradise. Jesus responded, "Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43 WEB). This is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to turn to Jesus and receive His forgiveness, no matter what we have done.
However, it is crucial to understand that this promise is extended to those who truly repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ. It is only by the name of Jesus that we are saved. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7 WEB). There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 WEB). We do not know the name of the repentant thief, but in his heart he believed that Jesus was the Messiah as the thief asked to be remembered when Jesus came into his Kingdom. The thief's faith was shown through his request to be remembered in the Kingdom and the confession in his heart that Jesus was the Messiah. In his heart he believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the one Anointed by God.
Let us pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We lift up this individual to You, asking that they would fully accept the grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ. We pray that they would truly repent and put their faith in Jesus, knowing that it is only through His name that we are saved. Help them to understand the depth of Your love for them, that even while they were still sinners, Christ died for them (Romans 5:8 WEB).
We ask that You would guide them, give them strength, and help them to walk in newness of life. We pray that they would be transformed by the renewing of their mind, and that they would know Your will, which is good, acceptable, and perfect (Romans 12:2 WEB).
We ask all these things in Jesus' name, for it is in His name that we have access to You, our Heavenly Father, our Abba.
Amen.
We encourage this individual to seek God's will for their life, to study His word, and to surround themselves with a community of believers who can support and encourage them in their faith journey.