John 14:13-14 says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (NIV).

Since it is God’s will that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9), it is important that we intercede for those who are lost, even if they say they refuse to receive Jesus. There are many testimonies of those who are the most stubborn coming to Christ and being saved! So be encouraged and keep praying.

Kenneth Hagin once shared about praying for his brother to come to know the Lord. Here was his experience:

I had been praying for my brother's salvation for many years. He was what you would call the "black sheep" of the family. In spite of my prayers, he seemed to get worse instead of better.

I always had prayed, "God save him." I'd even fasted. I was prone to slip back into praying this way, but after the Lord challenged me to do something about it—after He told me I had the authority—I said, "In the Name of Jesus, I break the power of the devil over my brother's life, and I claim his salvation!"

I gave the order. I didn't keep saying it or praying it. When a king gives an order, he knows it's going to be carried out.

The devil tried to tell me my brother never would be saved, but I shut my mind off and started laughing. I said, "I don't think he'll be saved—I know it! I took the Name of Jesus and broke your power over him and claimed his deliverance and salvation." I went my way whistling. Within 10 days, my brother was saved. The Word works!

Pray in faith, pray with authority and pray with fervency according to the Word. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much!