When Jan and I pray for people who do not know the Lord, we specifically pray that the veil of their unbelief would be removed. Our prayer is simple: “Lord, make yourself known to them.” When that blinding veil is removed, remarkable results have happened.

Those who trust the law to save them have a veil over their spiritual lives. No matter how excellent their lives may be according to human performance, they are of no value in terms of their salvation. Only Christ can save. He is the only way and truth of a new life that represents a better covenant. 

The veil of disbelief keeps people from believing in Jesus. Paul wrote, “So, if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!” (II Corinthians 3: 11). 

There is a problem for those who continue to trust in their performance to save them, “But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth” (vs. 14) Only by believing in Jesus can the veil be removed, both for the Jews and the Gentiles.

“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (vs. 16-17).  

This freedom in the Spirit is about our salvation, not our style of worship or the group where we choose to fellowship. It will change how we worship and impact the group where we choose to fellowship, but Paul was referring to our salvation, not its effects on us. Only when the veil of disbelief is removed can we begin to live a truly transformed life in all areas of our lives.

“So, all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (vs. 18).

This new covenant relationship with God through Christ will reflect His glory in all aspects of our lives. It will impact our choices, how we raise a family, do business, and form and maintain our relationships. Praying for God to remove the veil of disbelief should be our first prayer. Without that removal, all our efforts to bring people to Christ will fall short.