“He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” Matthew 27:42

How many times did Jesus’ spiritual enemies promise to believe Him? A bunch! They said these things though they had already seen Him do signs and wonders. But they continued to ask Him to perform signs and wonders, promising to believe. An observation and a suggestion:

First, signs and wonders do not cause anyone to believe. The Pharaoh who witnessed the plagues in Egypt but never believed is proof of that! Rather than causing anyone to believe, if they do anything, signs and wonders confirm the faith of those who already do believe. Because many of us feel desperation for non-believing family and friends, we are tempted to pray that when trials take place in that person’s life, that trauma, or a subsequent deliverance from the trauma by Lord will cause them to believe.

Second, knowing that people only believe because God graciously changes hardened unbelieving hearts into tender believing hearts, pray instead that God would demonstrate His mercy by changing their hearts—as only He can do. And don’t stop praying as long as that unbelieving friend or loved one is alive. Who knows what God may do, or when!