Can you pray for others' sins to be forgiven, and will it be done?

May 22nd 2024 | 37427 views 

Praying for others is important. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). This means we should forgive others who sin against us personally. An example of this was when Stephen was being stoned to death. He prayed for the men who were killing him and said, “Lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). These were his last words before he died. They show he had no desire seeing his fellow Jews punished for sins against himself. He was following the spirit of Jesus’ words when he said, “If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him” (Luke 17:3).

So, when someone sins against us individually, we are free to forgive them. But the full forgiveness of sin will only come through God’s plan of redemption. As part of this plan, the Bible stresses the importance of repentance.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:  Whom the heaven must retain until the times of restitution of all things…” Acts 3:19-21

This important passage means that repentance from sin and acceptance of Jesus as our Savior will lead to the blotting out of all sins. It describes the work of Christ’s kingdom. The Apostle Paul explained Jesus’ role in this work saying, [Jesus] “gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:6). This work is far beyond the occasions when we forgive sins committed against us personally. The Times of Restitution, described above, will mean the resurrection of all who have ever lived to a kingdom on earth (See Matthew 6:10). Mankind will then have the opportunity for repentance and being restored to God’s favor.

So, can you pray for others' sins to be forgiven, and will it be done? We can forgive sins committed against us personally, but only through the blood of Christ will all sins be forgiven.

Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1289: "How Do I Know If I Have Really Forgiven Someone?"
The depth, power and appropriate applications of true forgiveness
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

For children, parents and Bible class teachers:
Animated video: Why should we forgive others?

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