Passion for "lost souls?"

[Karen Troxler]

Over on the Naznet facebook page, I saw a thread about asking God to give us a passion for lost souls. A few people posted in agreement. I admit I didn't read the linked article, but something about it bothered me. 

At face value, it sounds like a great thing to pray for passion for lost souls, but what do we mean when we say that? For one thing, if we really believe that we are supposed to be concerned about people who don't know the Lord, then we should be concerned and do what we can whether we feel passionate about it or not. Do we have to wait for God to give us passion (or compassion) before we obey? Admittedly, it's easier for me to pray for people when I know them and feel strongly about their request; however, it is my responsibility to pray regardless of whether I feel a "burden" for them or not. I think the same is true of being concerned for people who are unbelievers.

Another thought that comes to mind is that having "a passion for lost souls" will look differently to people. To some, being concerned for lost souls means that they will let people know that they are headed to hell if they don't change their evil ways. To others, being concerned for the lost means to reach out to them in friendship with no string attached in hopes that our friendship will result in opportunity to show them God's love. There are a whole host of other ways that people might fulfill what they believe is a "passion for lost souls."

Maybe I'm being judgmental, but I think sometimes we say things that sound good, but don't really think out the implications of what it actually means. Then we say, "Amen, amen," and go on our way without doing anything about it.

What are your thoughts?

[Marsha Lynn]

Hi, Karen. I haven't seen the thread you referenced, but suspect the comments hit a hot button with you. We hear so many things in the church said and echoed without question. It certainly doesn't hurt to question such things.

I think the underlying prayer in this is a request that God would tune our hearts to truly care about people. I can certainly do without the "lost" part. I would be glad to do away with the philosophy that divides the world into "lost" and "found" souls. Aren't we all lost to some extent? Aren't many in the church MORE lost than the "publicans and sinners" we view with such disdain from our lofty self-righteousness? Many of us could learn a lot about Christian charity from "sinners" if we were willing.

Still, I do pray that God would teach me to love those around me, both those who know they're lost and those of us who claim to know the way without realizing how lost we really are.

Several years ago, I landed on a scheme to memorize the names of the people who have attended my church in the past six months or so -- whatever it takes to get 147 names, 21 per day, which is how many were on the first list I generated. I tick my way through those names in all sorts of situations -- to go to sleep at night or back to sleep in the middle of the night (sort of like counting sheep); to distract myself when I can't stand to listen to the words being said around me; to stay awake during boring meetings. 21 names for each day of the week. Sondra, Gavin, Jason, Maevyn, Mack, Elaina, Brittany, etc., etc. Some I wouldn't recognize if I met them on the street. Others I know about as well as we can know people whose shoes we have never occupied. Through those names day after day, stopping on each one to say a word of blessing or concern. And they become my people, my concern. When I see them back in church again, I am thrilled. I might even be passionate about where they are on their spiritual journey.

I have really come to appreciate the value of praying for people by name on a regular basis rather than just when they show up on the list of people requesting prayer because of some special need. (As it turns out, we all have special needs and need to be on someone's prayer list.)

I'm not sure if that's what it means to be passionate about [lost] souls, but I think if this level of concern were the result of such a prayer for passion, it would be worth praying. There needs to be some minimal level of concern to even start down the road that leads to deep concern for the spiritual well-being of others, and it might require God's Spirit at work within us to get to the starting place.

Marsha