Good Morning, Pastor John,
While listening to some old meetings this morning I started praying for God to merciful to my parents. I prayed “dear God please be merciful to my parents I don’t want to think about their eternal torment”. Before I could pray another word, the holy Ghost answered, “then don’t think about it, think about how YOU don’t want to go there”. That was the end of it. I felt I knew better than to continue with that thought process and start praying for something that was not already decided.
I just wanted to share!
Love,
Mark
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Hi, Mark.
The natural feelings we have for loved ones and others we have known and been close to can make us want to pray for them, even after they are gone, that they will be blessed. It was such natural love which produced such Christian traditions as burning candles for the dead and which inspired the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory.
But as you said, their judgment has already been decided. It is good that you heard from Jesus concerning that important point. His voice makes all the difference for us and determines whether we serve God after our own desire and opinion or serve Him according to His will.
Thank you for writing.
Pastor John