Hope in the Lord for Our Loved One’s Salvation

Published by helloredds@gmail.com on 05/20/2025

Hope in the Lord for Our Loved One’s Salvation

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah‬ 40‬:31‬ NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

As I write these words, it has been only a few short weeks since my 87-year-old father passed away. When he received a cancer diagnosis just over a year ago, our family understood his days remaining on this earth would be few. How I longed for him to spend eternity in heaven!

For the past 50 years, I prayed daily for my dad’s salvation.

For the past 50 years, I prayed daily for my dad’s salvation, that he would know and accept the love of Jesus.

While scurrying to help him get his affairs in order, my prayers intensified.

“Lord Jesus, please help me find a way to get through to my dad. Please give him the extra time he needs to come to an understanding of the truth, the truth that you are the God of the universe and Savior of the world. I ask you to send someone, anyone, to get through to him.” 

Throughout My Life

Throughout my life, I had tried repeatedly to talk to my father about Jesus and his saving grace, but he always brushed me off, made a joke, and changed the conversation. 

“What I believe about God is private,” he would say whenever he tired of my preaching. There was no room for “ya-buts” or negotiating. When Dad said a conversation was over, it was over. 

When I planned to spend time with Dad, I always prayed for God to open the door to his heart just a crack, so I knew at least he was listening. But as the years went on, my hope waned.

“Jesus. We need a miracle. My father is so hard-hearted.

Does he even think about You?

Does the idea of heaven ever cross his mind?”

Crying to the Lord

As I cried out to the Lord, He reminded me of this verse from Isaiah: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

The word for “hope” in Hebrew is qavah, which means “to eagerly wait, to expect.” As I contemplated its meaning, the Lord spoke to my heart. 

“Dawn. Where is your hope? Is it in Me, or is it in having your prayers answered to your satisfaction and in your timing? 

Gulp…

The Lord continued.

“Will you trust Me, even if you don’t get the answer that you’ve longed for in this lifetime?”

Contemplating Hope in the Lord for Our Loved One’s Salvation

Contemplating my answer, I considered the words of Jesus in John 14:6, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

“No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The words permeated my soul and humbled me. My earthly father, the independent man who refused to rely on anyone, couldn’t come to the Father on his own. He needed Jesus to show him the way.

No amount of preaching, coercing, nagging, or pleading on my part could open my dad’s eyes to the way to eternal life except Jesus.

Instead of hoping and trusting in the Lord, I was trying to do something only Jesus Himself could do—save my father. 

What Does the Bible Say? 

The Bible teaches us that no one can say, “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians‬ 12:3‬ ESV).

None of us came to the Father except that Jesus first called us. The same was true for my dad. The Lord knew just what needed to happen in my father’s life for him to realize he was powerless to save himself.‬‬‬

The Lord repeated His question to me. “Will you trust Me even if you don’t receive the answer that you’ve longed for in this lifetime?”

At that moment, I released my dear father to Jesus. As Dad’s life faded away and he could no longer communicate with me, my prayers poured out as a fragrant offering of surrender to the One who created him, the One who now spoke to him with words I could not hear. 

Dad Was Right

Dad was right after all. What he believed was private. It was between him and God alone. It was sacred. Within a few minutes, my father took his last breath.

Quietly, I heard the Lord whisper to me, “I’ll take it from here.”

It’s as though Jesus exchanged my grip on my father’s hand for His as He ushered him into eternity. 

I may never know for certain if my father accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I suspect that will be the first question I ask Jesus when I get to heaven.

But while I wait, my hope is in the Lord, whose ways and timing are perfect.

Final Thoughts – Hope in the Lord for Our Loved One’s Salvation

Are you praying for someone you love who needs to surrender their life to Jesus?

Put your hope in Him. He loves them more than you can imagine and wants them with Him in eternity. He is knocking on the door of their heart. 

Although you may never know if your loved one received the gift of salvation, remember, as I have, our hope is Jesus, who gave Himself for them. Because of Him, we can abound in hope. 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans‬ 15‬:13‬ ESV‬‬

About the Author: Dawn Ward

Dawn Ward is a speaker, writer, and Bible teacher.

She is the founder of The Faith to Flourish, a ministry equipping women to live transformed lives through inspiring teaching, mentoring, and biblical resources.

The ministry also offers support and encouragement to women with addicted loved ones.

Also, she is married to Steve and mom to three adult children. Her book, From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children, published in September 2024, is available for order.

Connect with Dawn Ward on Social Media

HTTPS://www.thefaithtoflourish.com

HTTPS://www.Facebook.com/thefaithtoflourish

HTTPS://www.instagram.com/thefaithtoflourishblog 

https://youtube.com/thefaithtoflourishwithdawnward

https://linkedin.com/in/dawn-ward-93975b266

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