Intercessors: Abraham - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) November 30, 2021

Intercession may not work out the way we think. When that happens, we must, nevertheless, give God his due and expected worship.

Look at Abraham for instance. In Genesis 18, he petitioned for Sodom and Gomorrah, seeking the salvation of a doomed city. He begged God to spare the city even if only ten righteous people could be found there. God, being gracious, agreed to do as he'd asked. Most of us know how the story ends, however. The city of Sodom and Gomorrah was leveled flat.

Did Abraham's intercession fail? Not at all. It just didn't work out as we may have expected. Genesis 19 reveals that one righteous person was spared - Lot. And because of his righteousness, he was allowed to save "anyone else ... who belongs" to him (Genesis 19:12). In the end, less than ten people escaped the city - Lot, his wife, and two daughters. A grand total of four people! His sons-in-law were warned but thought he was joking (Genesis 19:22).

Would things have been different if Abraham asked for the city to be spared for the sake of one righteous person? I'm not certain but this story teaches me that God, in His kindness, will find a way to uphold an intercessor's prayer. Clearly Sodom and Gomorrah didn't have up to ten righteous people as Abraham had hoped. There was only Lot and he was saved. God, in His kindness and mercy, also gave Lot the opportunity to help others avoid destruction. Though Abraham may have hoped for the entire city to be spared, God did answer different part of his petition. Specifically, Abraham asked God to not kill the righteous along with the wicked in Genesis 18:25. The Lord answered that prayer by sparing Lot and his family!

God loves to answer our prayers and will find surprising way to do so. We must accept the answers to our supplications, however they come and be grateful.

We might be tempted to think we can improve on Abraham's petition. Where he stopped at ten people, we might feel it would have been better if he didn't stop there but got all the way down to one. Instead of this attitude, we must cultivate the discipline of seeking God's guidance so we pray aright. This will require He teaches us who/what to pray for, and how to pray for them. The Bible is the key to gaining such understanding and it will help us become effective intercessors to His glory. None of us is smart enough to do anything without God. Afterall, Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us his thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways. We need His special touch if we ever want good results for our prayers.

Consider Abraham once more, but this time, as a cautionary tale. In Genesis 17:18, he called on the Lord to bless his son Ishmael. Doesn't sound out of the ordinary, right? However, Abraham was not aware of the prophecytold to the boy's mother, Hagar. The Lord said Ishmael would be a "wild donkey of a man" always at war with his brothers (Genesis 16:12). God answered Abraham's prayer and blessed Ishmael. However, the result has arguably been a conflict between the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael that continues till this day in the Middle East.

May we accept our limitations and seek God's guidance on whom to pray for and how to pray for them. May He guide us to become effective intercessors and may we never forget to praise Him no matter what the answers to our prayers look like, IJMN, Amen.

Join us at 12 Noon to praise the Lord and intercede for others. Is there someone or something on your mind you'd like to pray for? Search for scripture to use or come ask fellowship members for tips, so we can all pray in accordance to the word and will of God. May He bless and guide us.