As we have seen, when praying for one’s family, we engage in direct spiritual warfare against the enemy. We must also understand that there are benefits tied to this mission of influence and soul-winning.

Respect and Honor

When you take a stand for your family through prayer and practical action, it won’t be easy at first. You will face opposition from family members who may not understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. They won’t always agree with you. That’s normal—spiritual matters cannot be perceived by those who only have a natural outlook. However, once your family members begin to understand your mission, see the love you have for them, and witness the fruits of your prayers, they will respect and honor you.

Your Advice Will Carry Weight

The respect you earn within your family will lead them to value your opinion and your advice. Yes, your words will carry weight in the natural realm. In my case, I experienced this firsthand. It didn’t happen overnight. Let’s say it took me eight years. Today, I can clearly see that my advice matters to my family.

I remember a time when my younger sister was going through a tough situation, and in her desperation—but also with hope that I could help—she asked me, “Francine, what should I do?” Or the time I told her she should consider studying law, and later, she decided to take my advice. Or when I suggested to another sister that she should specialize in surgery, and she followed that path. I could share several similar stories.

Your family members will begin to trust you when they see, over the years, your steadfastness in your commitment to the Lord—especially when they truly see the love you have for them. I use the word “see” because you must reach a point where your actions are undeniable proof of the genuine love you have for them. A person who knows they are loved will be more easily led and convinced.

When we feel loved, we understand that every decision made by the other person is for our own good. Therefore, we are less likely to doubt that love and will recognize that all choices made by the other party are made in our best interest because they love us.

You Will See Tangible Fruit in Your Family

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” —Psalm 126:1

Yes, such moments of joy will also be yours. You will joyfully reap every seed sown in prayer, fasting, and concrete action for your family. You will feel a deep sense of joy and fulfillment. Moreover, you will witness your family members flourishing, being healed, set free, converted, and prospering—and that is priceless.

Also, understand that the impact of your actions extends far beyond the present. In fact, it will reach future generations. You will then step into the dimension of being a blessed family that gives birth to other blessed families—what a grace!

Your Name Will Be Written in the Book of Remembrance

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.” —Malachi 3:16–18

The natural consequences we’ve discussed are meaningful. But for me, the greatest reward is that, because of your actions, prayers, and deeds, God will remember you, and everything you have done will be recorded in His Book of Remembrance. It is the book where God writes all the good works of those who belong to Him.

Thus, because you accomplished the good works God wanted you to do, you will receive a reward in heaven for them. This reward is far greater than all the suffering endured on earth, or all the battles, challenges, and obstacles sent by the enemy to prevent us from achieving our purpose. The apostle Paul puts it beautifully:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary afflictions are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” —2 Corinthians 4:16–18

The weight of the glory to come is incomparable. Knowing this, we can joyfully endure all the trials we face for a short time. Let us always remember that this reward is eternal, whereas our sufferings are limited to our time on earth. There is no comparison. Knowing this, let us choose to keep our eyes fixed on God in order to obey Him—because the reward He offers is far too great to miss out on!

Now that the foundation of your special mission of influence has been laid, the following chapters will explore the essential elements for successful influence—the traps that await you and how to avoid them. It is important to understand that any true, lasting impact requires a genuine spiritual breakthrough.

Whatever type of impact you desire, it must begin with spiritual actions. Whether you want to see your family delivered from poverty, lack of education, or whether you wish to see more marriages in your family, everything must begin in the spiritual realm. Everything you want to see manifest in the natural must first be materialized spiritually. We will now move into the heart of the matter—step by step…

This text is an excerpt from the book “9 Keys to Winning Your Family to Christ” written by Francine CHEUMBOU.

We invite you to read the next article: “Observe Your Family Carefully.”

FAMILY INFLUENCERS. FAMILY INFLUENCERS. FAMILY INFLUENCERS. FAMILY INFLUENCERS.