Do prayers for conversion work?

[AnneTeresa]

Why do we pray for someone to be converted if it’s up to a person’s free will whether they turn to God or not?

This concerns me as I have a relative who is lost (and seems to have a hardened heart) and I pray for him, but I wonder if it really matters given a person’s free will is what matters. This is really concerning me. What is the church teaching on this?

 

[Incomplete]

God will never force, but God can help you or others to say the right things.

For example, my daughter prayed for an atheist friend. He did finally listen to Christian friends. He is not Catholic yet, and is very resistant to that (free will!) but he is Christian now.

Another friend of hers who was agnostic is now Catholic. I suspect prayers had something to do with it, because it started on a day when I felt like I needed to take him aside and talk. Then the opportunity happened (that day.) One thing led to another in conversation, and the next thing I know he was in RCIA. At that time he still considered himself agnostic…and he took RCIA for two years…but it wasn’t long before he considered himself Christian.

Now he is a passionate Catholic.

He was never forced, but opportunities were presented. I think that praying opened us up to be able to help (in the second case) as well.

 

[Della]

One of the most famous conversion stories of our times was that of C. S. Lewis who was greatly influenced by his friend J. R. R. Tolkien and other Christian friends. They fervently prayed for him when he was a comfirmed atheist.

Our prayers are never wasted, even if we never see the results in this life. We can never know what is happening within another’s heart, no matter what he may say or do. My own brother came back to faith even though he had had some great disappointments in his life that nearly destroyed it. Everyone has a chance to make his peace with God up until he dies. So, never give up hope.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Why do we pray for someone to be converted if it’s up to a person’s free will whether they turn to God or not?

This concerns me as I have a relative who is lost (and seems to have a hardened heart) and I pray for him, but I wonder if it really matters given a person’s free will is what matters. This is really concerning me. What is the church teaching on this?

Ask the Holy Spirit to intervene. We have free will, indeed, but God has our best in mind for us. The person can always say “NO!” and some will. Remember Saint Monica and 20 years of prayer for her son.

Your prayers are not in vain.

Also, what about a green scapular and devotion? These have worked miracles. I am planning to get one and put it under my husband’s side of the mattress.

 

[willofgods]

God might not force people’s minds to change in that He snaps His fingers and their mind is changed, BUT He can send them all the reasons they would need to believe. Praying that God will send them a superabundance of reasons and right conditions for belief is a good way to pray for conversion.

 

[nickybr38]

Why do we pray for someone to be converted if it’s up to a person’s free will whether they turn to God or not?

This concerns me as I have a relative who is lost (and seems to have a hardened heart) and I pray for him, but I wonder if it really matters given a person’s free will is what matters. This is really concerning me. What is the church teaching on this?

I’ve always believed prayers for conversion serve two purposes: 1. We’re praying for God to give people wisdom. A gift of wisdom does not violate ones free will but allows them to see more clearly. 2. We are praying that God will bring people into a person’s life that will lead them to truth. This isn’t violating free will either, instead it is asking God to give the person a gift… what’s so wrong with that?

When I pray for someone’s conversion these are usually the things I pray for.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

My Grandmother’s rosary, which she prayed every night for 30 years for her daughter’s (my mother’s) conversion, converted me! There were other influences as well. My mother’s (and father’s!) conversion came later. How do I know? God gave me the knowledge.

Jim Dandy
Ex-Southern Baptist, ex-agnostic, ex-atheist, ecstatic to be Catholic!