When Your Family Doesn’t Know Jesus: How to Love, Pray, and Trust God’s Timing
Sharing our faith with family members who don’t know Jesus can be one of the hardest things we experience as believers. When God opens our eyes to His truth, our hearts ache for those we love who haven’t yet encountered Him personally.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated, discouraged, or unsure of what to say, you’re not alone. Many of us have walked this road, and the Bible gives us wisdom on how to navigate it with grace, patience, and faith.
This post will explore how to love your family well, how to pray for their salvation, and how to trust God’s perfect timing—without feeling the pressure to “fix” or “save” them yourself.
1. Your Life Is Your Testimony
Sometimes, the best way to share Jesus isn’t through words—but through the way you live.
📖 Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Even if they aren’t open to discussions about faith right now, they can’t deny the transformation in you. When they see the joy, peace, and love of Christ in your life, it speaks louder than any argument ever could.
✔️ Let them see your love and kindness in how you treat them.
✔️ Let them witness your peace even in difficult times.
✔️ Let them notice your joy and patience, even when they challenge you.
Your faith shouldn’t feel like an argument, but an invitation to something beautiful.
2. Trust the Holy Spirit to Lead the Conversation
It’s tempting to force discussions about faith, especially when we feel an urgency for our family to know Jesus. But we have to remember:
📖 John 16:8 – “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”
It’s not our job to convince people—they won’t come to Christ because of our perfect arguments. Only the Holy Spirit can change hearts.
That doesn’t mean we never speak about Jesus—but it does mean we should pray first and let God lead the conversation.
✔️ Before speaking, ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom on what to say and when to say it.
✔️ When discussing faith, listen more than you talk.
✔️ If conversations turn hostile, stay calm, respond with love, and let it go.
📖 Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
3. Let Go of the Pressure to “Fix” Them
We love our family so much that we want them to come to Jesus immediately. But salvation is God’s work, not ours.
📖 John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.”
When we try to force change, it can actually push them further away. Instead, trust that God is working behind the scenes, even if you don’t see immediate results.
✔️ Be patient. God moves in His time, not ours.
✔️ Let go of control. They are God’s responsibility, not yours.
✔️ Release frustration and replace it with faith.
📖 Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Your job isn’t to “fix” them—your job is to love them, pray for them, and trust God to do the rest.
4. Pray Boldly for Their Salvation
One of the most powerful things you can do for your family is pray for them daily. Even if they reject conversations about Jesus, they can’t stop your prayers.
📖 James 5:16 – “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Here are some specific prayers you can pray for your family:
✔️ Pray for softened hearts – That God would remove spiritual blindness and give them a hunger for truth (Ezekiel 36:26).
✔️ Pray for divine encounters – That God would send other believers into their lives to speak truth (Matthew 9:38).
✔️ Pray for patience and wisdom – That God would help you know when to speak and when to stay silent (James 1:5).
✔️ Pray for your own strength – That you won’t grow weary in loving them, even when you see no change (Galatians 6:9).
📖 Isaiah 55:11 – “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please.”
Even if you don’t see results on the surface, trust that God is doing something deep beneath the soil.
5. Keep Growing in Your Own Walk with Christ
Since this journey can be emotionally exhausting, make sure you are spiritually filled so that frustration and discouragement don’t take over.
✔️ Stay in God’s Word – Let the Bible anchor your faith so you’re always prepared for conversations. (Psalm 119:105)
✔️ Stay in Christian community – Surround yourself with believers who will encourage you. (Hebrews 10:25)
✔️ Let the Holy Spirit equip you – Trust that He will give you wisdom for every situation. (John 14:26)
The enemy wants to make you feel discouraged, but God is using you as a light in your family. Keep going!
Final Encouragement: God is Still Writing Their Story
If you’re feeling discouraged because your family doesn’t believe yet, don’t lose hope. God is still writing their story. You may not see how He’s working, but He is moving.
📖 Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Even if they resist, keep loving them.
Even if they argue, stay patient.
Even if they reject your words, keep praying.
Because God is faithful.
And one day, you may see the ones you love come to know Jesus for themselves.
Are you praying for a family member’s salvation? Share your thoughts or prayer requests in the comments below, and let’s encourage each other!
A Simple Prayer for You & Your Family
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for opening my eyes to Your truth. I pray for my family, that You would soften their hearts and draw them closer to You. Help me to love them like Jesus—with patience, grace, and faith. When I feel discouraged, remind me that You are always working, even when I don’t see it. I trust You with their salvation and surrender them into Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏
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