Hey Tim,

I realize you want to share this encouragement to pray for the ungodly more, and I agree, some do need to pray more, rather than gossip. But it does bring up a question, if these that you are talking about, gossip (showing some immaturity already);  just what will they pray for?  What specifically?  Nothing wrong to me... if you give them a little prayer advice.

Of course this also brings up a question concerning your title, "Would Jesus have dinner with Britney & Lindsay?"

He could, but the greater question is, would he instantly forgive them?

If they had no interest in repenting from the things they have done and the damage they have caused, to many people, I don't think He would (without repentance).
 

"Take heed to yourselves. If your brother (or sister) sins against you, Rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them (Luke 17:3)."

Would the media promote their repentance like they have their ungodliness?  Would either two of them want that?  If they are on certain peoples minds, the first thing I think we should encourage them to pray for is, that they would repent and make it public... much more so than their ungodliness.  My two cents... R.

Pastor Aminata,  I'm with you.  My heart was pricked the moment my wife mentioned her name.  I think you're right about the leader versus role model thing, but I do think that I see so many people not just imitating her style, but following her steps, I felt like she is leading some people as well, though we both know that's completely opposite of God's intention for their lives.

As you can tell by the time of the original posting, it was something that couldn't wait, and I honestly ended it a bit wound up, because I thought there was more to be said.  The Lord, however, closed my mouth and indicated to me that I was to stop with those comments.  I hope I can post again on the subject, because I strongly believe that there is much to be said.

Thank you for your words of encouragement! 

Well said, brother!  I think that if we view these people as souls and not celebrities, our attitude would be different, and we would become more sensitive to their issues and problems.  One thing I appreciate about you is this: if you were walking down Sunset Blvd. and saw anyone famous, I know you would share Christ with them just as fast as you would with anybody else.  As a matter of fact, I think you would be evangelizing while other Christians are asking for an autograph! :)

God bless you for your passion! 

Like I said in bible study, I too am guilty of talking and gossiping about celebrity mess.  But here is the thing, I can one up you guys and get a little worse.  Let’s take for instance Michael Vick and R. Kelly.  R. Kelly is a genius in the studio and Michael Vick is hero for many young men aspiring to be “something from nothing”. Both have been and legal trouble recently and proclaimed that through the fire they have found God.  When I should have rejoiced, I gave them the “yeah right, you just need mercy from the court and mercy from the fans.”  I thought about this after bible study and realized that it doesn’t matter what I, you, or anyone else thinks.  They only mercy that they need is from the Father.  He can take dirtiest penny and make it shine like new.  Both men need so much help, not only with their legal troubles but with their souls. 

I think he would have dinner with them in a heartbeat!  And you never know, they may want to have dinner with him too!  I mean, who else can futher your career like Christ!  I don’t think God would hesitate in their quest for forgiveness.  If they had no intention in coming to Christ, I think he would just persistently love them, just as he loved us before we came clean.  God hates the sin, but continuously loves the sinner.  By and through his love, patience, grace and mercy is how we all got saved.  Let me tell you, I would be dead in a grave somewhere if God would have given up on me. 

The good news is through our diligent prayers we can help.  There are some great “turnaround” stories.  Look at DeeDee “Vanity” Michaels who uses her past as a testimony.  Remember that song by Helen Baylor, where she said when she was lost in drugs and alcohol that she had a “praying grandmother”!  Grandma prayed her through.  I truly believe my grandmother in heaven prayed me through too!  I’ve got my list on whom to pray for ready.  The funny part is, when I was in the world, most of these people were my role-models.  My how the blood washes us!

Amen!  I think when we get busy for the Kingdom, we'll notice that some of the people we reach out to are people we previously wanted to be like.

As far as our response to their confessions of faith are concerned, we must remind ourselves that there are some people in our past who didn't believe us when we met Jesus, either!  I think you're absloutely right, and it's not our place to judge whether or not someone has truly repented and accepted the Lord Jesus.  That's up to someone else, and I guarantee, He doesn't read the National Enquirer.

Very encouraging!

Hey Tim,

I know I'm back trying to stress the point of repentance on you blog that wants to stress praying for celebirties. But I think it's important also. I know that you said, "most people that I talk to have no problem embracing the idea that Jesus would forgive them..."

My reply, Yes, He most definately could, but according to the principals that Jesus laid out; it's after they repent, isn't it? This is what I think needs to be stressed. There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding forgivness, what do you teach, Tim?  Do you stress repentence as our Lord said, or do you tell believers to forgive, no matter if the person repents or not?

Thanks, R...
 

Guilty.  That's what I felt when I first read this.  When I heard about R. Kelly I just shook my head, when I heard about Vick I just shook my head, when I heard about Lindsey I said, "It's a shame", and when I heard about Britney I said, "That's sad".  Not once did I get on my knees or lift either of them up in prayer.  All I can think about now is how many Christians treated me the same way when they saw me before Christ.  Wow, I'm just like them.  We get so focused on living the Christian life that sometimes we forget about our main priority and that's reconciling the lost to God through Christ.  Sister Gina, Matthew 9:11-13 settles it for me; yes Christ would have dinner with Britney and Lindsey.  As a matter of fact he's inviting them to dinner now, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."--Revelations 3:20.   Does the Lord require repentance?  Of course He does but Jesus also knew a lot about fishing and anyone who fishes knows that you first have to get the fish in the boat and then back to land and then you can clean them.  Jesus stands at the door of the heart of every sinner and He knocks.  He has never said, "Clean the house first and then I'll come in."  No, He says open the door and let Me clean the house.  Sinner's could care less about repentance but everyone knows about forgiveness.  Our ability to first forgive someone who has wronged us is usually what attracts them to Christ in the first place.  Has anyone ever asked you why did you take the high road when you could have easily fought back?  Or why did you give up your spot in line when you were there first?  That's all forgiveness is, you restoring someone who doesn't deserve to be restored.  When Christ was on the cross He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."--Luke 23:34.   He didn't require repentance but He knew that the ones who were crucifying Him needed to be restored so the Father wouldn't take action against them for crucifying His Son.  I pray that Britney and Lindsey will both repent and turn away from their sinful lives but first I pray for God's mercy on them and that He keep them in the land of the living so they can accept Christ.  "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."--John 3:17.  Sorry if I wrote too much I just couldn't help myself.  : )

What a fantastic day of discussion!  I've been waiting for the Lord to release me to elaborate on a few things, but it's been rewarding just reading so many of your comments.  I think by the end of the day, many of you, including those who read my blog and spoke to me by phone, understood the point of today's blog.

How can you reach people for Christ, if you're not even willing to carry their names on your heart in prayer?  I do not endorse any type of "short-cut" theology, and I'm convinced that when we have the opportunity to speak, we should speak with the same boldness as John the Baptist.  This is not about preaching a watered-down version of the Gospel, we must continue to tell this dying world to repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

The question I was hoping to pose in the blog wasn't really whether or not Jesus would have dinner with anyone.  The Bible already teaches us that he would.  It also never talked about who offer the invitation.  The question I'm trying to move you to ask is, what would Jesus do at dinner?  See, I believe that if we follow the example of Christ, we would be reaching out to them in whatever way we can, which for most of us, is through prayer.  Having dinner with someone doesn't make them a Christian, but it can begin a conversation that will eventually lead to a turning point in their life.  I am constantly encouraged by the work of Campus Crusade for Christ.  As I watch them minister in the footsteps of one of God's most effective spokesmen, Dr. Bill Bright, I realize that they are touching so many lives because they understand that they must show the same kind of love and acceptance that Jesus exhibited over and over again.

Much has been said about repentance, and I'm glad to hear it.  I'm convinced that true repentance is not only important in establishing a relationship with Jesus Christ, it's a requirement.  The problem comes when we apply our weak definition and try to pass it off as the real thing.  It's not that our definition of repentance is wrong; it's just incomplete.  True repentance is a complete turning away from sinful behavior, and it has far more to do with what you do than with what you say.  It's not enough to say you're sorry, or even to feel sorry.  There must be a turning in order for true repentance to take place.

I'm thrilled that we have a place like MyChurch, where so many members of the body of Christ can come and share honestly.  We have an unwavering mandate to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world, and to bring the lost into the ark of safety before it's too late.  I just hope that we are actually reaching down into the waters of sin to pull men and women to safety, rather than sitting in the boat and criticizing those who are drowning.

There's so much I want to say, and I can't right now, and I don't know why.  I hope what I've said makes sense to you.

I believe that we must be searching for ways to be a blessing to those you have spoken of, because the Word teaches us that it will be the true measure of our ministry.

Thanks for sharing! 

Ready for another angle?  Hey maybe we can make this exhaustive until the Lord comes?

Pastor Aminata already mentioned that if we walk in the Spirit and are sensitive to His leading, He will direct how we are to pray... and for whom.

I totally agree with that... and I rely on it.

Afterall, "the wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

In other words, not everyone is going to pray for them, because Not everyone will be lead by the Spirit to do so. *  But it does bring up something else: trying to get everyone to jump onto my bandwagon when maybe the bandwagon I am invovled with... was only meant for me (question)?
 

But what often happens?  And No... I don't mean to imply that is what you or your wife have tried to do here, I'm only saying I have seen it go that way a few times.

Example: One person gets the unction from the Lord (for them personally), to be involved... but then they run out and get a dozen others to make a vow to do it also, when God never called them to.

Sometimes, I believe, God gives us Mission Impossible assignments; meant only for us. What do you think, true or false?  R...

R...

Hey Becky,

I know you wrote that per Pastor Tim, so I hope you don't mind, if I put in my two cents in regards to what you shared also?
 

Here it is, my two cents on this open forum about Becky's thoughts and question, if the Spirit continually places someone on my mind, I don't say anything more to God but, "Lord, I lift them up to you and I hope somehow... they would turn to you for salvation. Amen."

At other times there is the conviction from the Spirit to pray, "Lord, I ask in the name of Jesus that somehow... the imaginary peace and prosperity that this person thinks they have... would come crashing down around them. But not for their destruction Lord, but for their salvation. I pray that they would come to the end of their rope, sooner rather than later, so that they would seek your salvation and purpose for their lives. Amen, thank you."

And then... there is what Paul said regarding certain individuals, "this charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith, have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."

I delivered them over to Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme?  Sometimes I think we can spend to much time and effort towards people, who may never ever are going to come to the Lord. Maybe people in our own families, who we would like to come more than the unknown dregs of society... but alas it just might not happen. Can we deal with that?
 

I know no body likes this message, including myself, but it seems that is the way it is. And while we make someone more of our prayer concern than someone else... the fact is, God might be wanting us to keep at the work that He has next in store for us to be involved with.

It's a scary thing to say to God, "Lord I present myself to you as a living sacrifice," because He probably will ask us to do just that sometimes. 

P.S. Please don't think that I'm saying this toward anyone that you might be praying for (readers and Becky)... I'm just saying this seems to be a real possibility from the Bible. God is not going to overthrow peoples own ability to choose Him or reject Him... everyone must make their own decision, and receive their salvation themselves.   R...

I will admit that I have wondered more than a few times in the last few days exactly why I was moved to title this blog the way I did, especially when the content of it didn't exactly tackle the title head-on.  Anyone who knows me knows that as a pastor and teacher, I don't seek to entice attention with "catchy phrases".  I trust God to communicate His truth through me in whatever way He chooses, and I know that my job is to remain yielded to His purpose for me.  He'll take care of everything else.

So, I believe that my purpose on this blog was to spark a conversation that needed to take place among believers.  I'm watching closely as new responses are added, and I'm encouraged by the fact that so many people have an opinion about this subject, and even about how I presented it.

I hadn't spoken to Kim about that night in Bible Study since then, but last night, we were sitting in the office together after she put Faithe to bed, and I decided to ask her why she felt moved to mention Britney Spears.  You have to know Kim to appreciate just how odd it is to hear that name escape her lips.  Her tastes in TV don't vary.  Outside of GOD TV and other religious programming, she gets about as secular as HGTV and Golden Girls, and that's it.  Music doesn't very at all.  It's KLOVE on the radio or Fred Hammond in the CD player.  Whatever she knew about Britney Spears was hearsay at best.

When I asked her about it, here was her answer:

"When I was listening to everyone talking about her performance on television, everyone was laughing at her, and I kept trying to offer some kind of explanation for her.  I just felt like someone needed to speak up and remind everyone that she is a person, and is probably going through a lot, and dealing with it in front of the whole world.  Then, when I was taking the newspaper out to the recycling bin just before Bible Study, I saw a picture of her, I guess from that TV show, and she just looked lost to me.  I saw someone who didn't know which way to go, and there were all these dancers around her, and I thought that it was probably the same way after the show is over.  No direction, and everyone around her is just performing.  I didn't think about her being famous or anything.  I looked at her the same way I would look at anyone suffering with addiction and sin.  Right before I dropped that paper, I realized that a lot of Christians are doing the same thing: Gawking and gazing at her, talking about her, and then throwing her away.  I felt convicted by the thought that if I don't really pray for her when I know she's going through something, even if I don't know all the details, it's the same as watching starving children on TV and doing nothing when I could help.  So, when you asked about prayer requests, I simply mentioned the person I was thinking about.  It really wasn't about the fact that she's famous, as a matter of fact, I thought that her fame wasn't a good thing if she was going through so much.  I just hope that someone close to her is sensitive enough to the Spirit to be able to tell her that Jesus doesn't care about anything she did before, if she's willing to give her heart and her life to Him, he'll give her joy in place of all that sadness."

I'll leave it there for now.  I'm sure I'll comment again soon, but for now, I'll let you think about her words, since she's really the one who started all this. :)  ~ Pastor Tim

Hey,

I see a transistion in this blog available, so I'm going to add it.

It's interesting that Evangelist has brought up OJ, because that gives me the oppurtunity to introduce you to... our "crazy, radical Pastor," and see how you would judge what he did.
 

Our Pastor and a few members of the Church, went to an auction where they were selling off some of OJ's trophies and things. They went with an unction from God to burn the stuff on the Courthouse steps as a Godly witness against our Justice system and against OJ (we believe he should have been put to death).

However, because of this, many many believers and Churches, now label him and the people that go to that Church as heretical. -  But is it any different than the things that were happening in the Bible?  Didn't God at times tell the Isrealites to destroy some of the other peoples stuff, even though it had value?  Yes, and sometimes they didn't obey God, and instead they took and hid the stuff, and brought trouble on themselves (Joshua 7). This brings up a question, could we bring trouble on ourselves by keeping and doing stuff that should be destroyed?
 

Also in this news report (attached below), someone says, "why couldn't they have taken the things and fed the poor or helped somebody out?"  This isn't any different than what happened when the woman anointed the Lord (Mk. 14:4,5), they said the same thing.
 

But obediance to the leading of the Spirit, no matter the cost, is what is important.

News story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/281454.stm   R...

I was all set to just allow this blog to continue, and maybe add a little something here or there, but what I read just now compelled me to speak.

R, you talked about introducing your Pastor, and mentioned that you wanted to "see how we would judge what we did."  First off, I won't do that.  It's not my place to judge the actions of another.  I do have a few questions that I hope will put that whole situation for me.  Now, let me be clear, these are real questions, not rhetorical ones.  I'm not asking them hoping to make a point in the asking, I'm asking so that I can maybe understand what had been done.

Was this a part of any sort of outreach or anything?  Was the Word of God shared with those who were present, to give a holy context to what was being done?  Was prayer offered up in your church for OJ, the families of the victims or the court officers involved in the case while it was underway?  Did it concern anyone that the British Broadcasting Company reported on the most sensational part of the demonstration, and not the part you where shared the love of God?

I want to say again, I do not and will not stand in judgment, but I have to also assume that the story I've read is incomplete.  ~Pastor Tim 

Hey Evangelist and Tim,

You both seem to hold a position that we are not to judge. Pastor Enyart would definately disagree with you, Jesus is being taken out of context; and we are the only ones on earth who can judge rightly. So that's for starters.

Next, if you want more information, why not get it from him?  You can call Pastor Bob, Monday - Friday at 3pm Mountain time @ 1-800-836-9278.  He has a live call-in talk show program and I'm sure he would love to take your calls. You can listen on the internet while the show is on at kgov.com.

Afterall, if you think our Pastor, isn't doing the right thing, by teaching we should judge... and that he is misleading others, then why not contend with him (like Paul did), for the truth?

And evangelist with all due respect... all I was doing was reporting the facts about what the Church did. I thought I'd insert it bacause maybe you guys and others on this site, didn't know about it. But, as far as this being compared to cross burning, I don't believe that. It has nothing to do with skin color or the lack of it, but rather the ungodliness in our Justice system. In fact that is what it has become, just-a-system.

P.S. There are many paper reports about what Denver Bible Church did, but some of them are very condemning. Also, I just saw Britney's manager quit (9-18-07)... I hope they were talking about the devil. See... our prayers are working, the times they are a-changin.'  R...

Hello Brother R,
I've been reading this blog for some time now.  After reading your last response I'm just curious and would like to have your opinion on something.  I know that you gave the contact number for your pastor's show but since you're the one representing his point of view then I would rather hear from his ambassador.  Please, if you will, elaborate on this scripture and it's "true" meaning: "Judge not, and you shall not be judged.  Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven."--Luke 6:37.  Remember, this is Jesus talking and not one of the disciples. 

Hey Ben, Tim and Evangelist,

Thanks for the continuing dialogue. Here are my replies:

Ben, no problem, but you should chat with him, he will challenge what you think. Anyway, he did for me, and I've been in many Churches since birth (literally), though I was truly born again in 1986 (age 29). But now... here is a question for you?  If I take the time and write this all out, will you seek God about it, before you just reply? I know you and Evangelist think you can build a case, but let me put it this way... Pastor Bob, hasn't lost a fight on this subject yet. So, the challenge still stands, call him up and see if you can defend your position.

and Ben, if you will keep an open mind and will examine what the word says and to whom it is speaking... this will make all the difference in the world.

So here goes, as fast as I can: Jesus only came to the lost sheep of the house of Isreal (proven by His own words), he did not come firstly to the Gentiles. We Gentiles were grafted into Christ after the ressurection. So, what you are quoting is before this happened and He was not saying these things to everyone, but to the Jews who were relying on the law. In fact, "forgive to be forgiven by your Father in Heaven," is all law... and it is totally to the Jews.

We on the otherhand, were placed into Christ by grace, what God had done, not by what we had done. What we did was accept the free gift, but we didn't have to forgive anybody for God to forgive us.

Do you see the difference in the time, and in what is spoken?  What was spoken before the Cross, versus after the ressurection? - While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! We were, or could have been, very unforgiving... but God through Christ, accomplished the work of forgivness Himself. The Jews on the otherhand, were relying on the law, and Jesus was speaking to them directly, not to all people.

================

Hey Pastor Tim,

My wife and I didn't attend DBC at the time that they did this with OJ's stuff. So when I read the
BBC account, it sounded pretty clear, compared to the other things that I read. - As far as knowing all the intents and maybe other goings on, I don't know them, that's why I made the offer for you to call him.

By the way, what is your belief on Judging, or would you rather not say? 
 
==============

Hey Evangelist,

Words have meanings and I know that you know that. I think we can know what some of the things in the Bible mean. And when I read the apostle Paul, he seems to make it an important business to defend and contend for the right meanings of those words. Today however, many people say, "oh we can't fully understand what God meant, so lets' just do what feels right."

This in turn, puts a different denomination on every corner, while all the unbelievers wonder why.

Answer: because no one wants to contend and defend for the truth anymore, just believe whatever you want, without hardly an argument.

Regardless, we can go back and forth for a long time and get tired fingers and wrists, but if you would call Pastor Bob (since he's more of an expert at it, than I am), he might be able to explain better his actions with OJ's stuff and his beliefs on judging others.

Bless all of you, R...

P.S. Right now Pastor Bob is talking to a doctor on abortion and it is a taped program. That
happens sometimes, so today you couldn't call in... even if you wanted to.

Oh R,

I am so sorry, I didn't mean to come across nasty. I was learning so much through this conflict, and I was trying to excersise what I had learned through reading, listening to the bible on cd and hearing messages from the bible from pastors and friends. I like you as you say, "I have the conviction from the Lord that the way I read His word. "  I hope I am speaking the Truth, that is why I asked someone else to help me with scripture, and so graceously Ben did so.
 
Please forgive me if I offended you or made you angry. I did not mean to.

Although I have to decline taking this up behind the scenes. Like you saw before, I don't have the armour of the word put on completely to be able to have a conversation like this without my friends who are on Pastor Tims web page. So I have to decline. Please forgive me for that too

But I have to thank you for the debate, I learned a lot from you and the teachings of your pastor.

Joyously in Jesus

Becky

Okay.  I’ve gotten more than a few messages from people asking me if was going to respond to all of the activity.  Just to be clear, there is a specific reason why I’ve not responded to specific questions asked of me.  It’s not that I don’t have an opinion, and it’s not that I can’t express it clearly.  I just know in my heart that I’m not supposed to be a part of this discussion.  I do, however, want to say something to each of you according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  By the way, every personal message in my inbox will be returned as well.

God is not the author of confusion, and the Spirit of God is intelligent.  So let me be clear: I will not speak against any work that has truly been done in the name of Jesus.  Whether or not I agree with the tactics of any church is irrelevant.  The Bible orders us to “test the spirits, to see whether they be from God.”  I simply am not close enough to R’s church or pastor to speak with any sacred authority.  While I do have opinions about a lot of what I’ve read, it’s simply improper to speak until I know that people I speak against are ill-intentioned.  Some of you may think that what I’m saying is some sort of cop-out, but I assure you that it would be much easier to give in to my impulses.  The challenge that God has placed before me regarding this situation is quite simple: be silent until He tells me to speak, and when I do, say only what He gives me.  I am not critical of any of you who have posted, and I agree with a lot of what I’ve read.  It simply appears that right now, I’m supposed to be writing in the sand, while the debate goes on.

I have heard a number of what I truly believe to be significant differences in interpretation, but the object of our worship and devotion must be the same.  I certainly hope that no one has been injured in any way by the dialogue that has taken place.  Any time Christians disagree about these matters, it is bound to be an emotional discussion, because we are all passionate about our work for the Kingdom, even if we disagree on how best to accomplish it.  When we feel a certain way, I believe that it is healthy to have an honest dialogue about it, but we must be careful to avoid “friendly fire” scenarios.  As much as we are called to spiritual warfare, the war must be waged in the proper arenas, within the proper context, and against the proper enemy.

The differences we have as Christians should unite us, not divide us.  We have a common enemy, and we must work together to defeat him and establish God’s Kingdom here on Earth.  There is a time for boldness, and there is a time for compassion.  My prayer is that in some small way, you have all taken one step closer to the divine balance that God has created us to experience.  I hope you’ll continue to read my blogs, though I’m sure that they won’t all be this…interesting.  :)  God bless each of you, and let’s work together to hold up the Light in whatever way we can.

When my wife told me that I needed to read this blog, I was a little taken back.  I did follow the logic of each and every person.  I truly believe that everyone believes that their convictions are correct.  The first thing I thing that comes to my mind is:

John 15 (NIV)

4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Are we trying to produce fruit apart from the vine in out actions? (Burning OJ material, praying for celebrities, etc.)   I did not see anything in the blog about seeking God’s will in all of this.  Clearly God has a plan, and sometimes the answer is ‘no’ to our prayers, and ‘no’ to our actions.  Do we go on and do it anyways because we think we know what God is calling us to do.  I would say that in every circumstance, it is God’s will we should seek first. 

Clearly God has a plan for everyone and everything, and all of it will work out for his glory.  There are times when we desire an outcome to something when God has a different plan.  I am not going to go into depth on this one, because it brings up a whole other topic, but clearly from the passage below, we know that our ‘all knowing God’ knows the outcome of everything, yet still lets the unbeliever and the believer live together. 

Romans 9 (NIV)

21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

God has a purpose for them, granted, we are not privy to this knowledge and our command is to go into the world and preach the ‘Good news’, but I always think back to John 15:4-5.  Do we go door to door and beat everyone over the head with the gospel?  I think not!  We always must seek the will of God in everything we do, and let that be our guide in all things.  We might just get a ‘no’ to our prayers about someone’s eyes being opened.  In fact, I know that we have been getting a ‘no’ to our prayers about Britney and Lindsay.  I have not seen anything on the news lately about their repentance and salvation.  So I would ask then, are we trying to produce fruit apart from the vine?  Shouldn’t we instead pray all of this and then preface it with ‘according to your will and not ours’.
 

This is just my 2 cents.

Matthew 6:10 (Lords Prayer)

…   Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.