A church visitor asked the pastor, “Can I request prayer?”
“Sure, what do you want prayer for?”
“My cousin died last week. Pray that God will guide him in the afterlife.”
The pastor asked, “Suppose you’re taking an exam. Should you pray before the exam or after?”
“Obviously, before the exam.”
“Right. When you pray after the exam, it’s like you’re asking God to change the grades. That is not possible because God is faithful. He cannot deceive the result. Similarly, when we die, the exam is over. We can no longer change our destiny. Hebrews 9:27 says that we die once and then face judgment. That means no second chance. I’m sorry for your relative. He can no longer be prayed for. That is why people need to understand the Gospel while they are still alive. They had to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior before it was all over.”
Sinners who believe they can be saved after death will get the greatest shock of their lives. Teach the truth because that’s the only thing that can set people free. (John 8:32)