Gospel Reading Plan: Matthew 26-28
Abraham as Intercessor
Read: Genesis 18:16-19:29
Sodom and Gomorrah was a wicked city full of sexual immorality, greed
and injustice. This city was so wicked
that when angels from God visited the house of Lot, some men tried to gang rape
them! The angels blinded the sodomites
to prevent themselves from being abused (Gen. 19:5, 11). Abraham knew of God’s plan to destroy this
wicked city and he intercedes for it in Genesis 18:16-33. Abraham’s nephew Lot lived in this wicked
city and therefore God’s decision to destroy the city would kill Abraham’s
family member. Talk about motivation to
pray! The fate of Sodom was prolonged a
bit through Abraham’s prayers, which was the only resource Abraham used to try
to save the city. He didn’t run there
and tell everyone to repent, he didn’t send a letter of warning to his nephew –
he prayed! Abraham’s only fault was his
optimistic view of the spiritual condition of the city (his estimate of ten
righteous people was too high). Regrettably,
our country and most of the developed world is going the way of Sodom and
Gomorrah. Wickedness abounds. Billy Graham’s wife Ruth was quoted as
saying, "If God doesn't soon bring
judgment upon America, He'll have to go back and apologize to Sodom and
Gomorrah!" Yet where are the
intercessors today? Who is praying for
God to save our great nation? Who is
praying for God’s hand of judgment to be restrained and for many to repent and
turn from their wicked ways? Our land
desperately needs prayer!
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
- Ask the Lord to show you what some of the resources are that you naturally turn to instead of prayer.
- Thank the Lord for His love and mercy, how He desires for people to repent and turn from their wicked ways.
- Ask the Lord to show you what part He is calling you to play in the area of praying for our nation. Ask Him to show you something about our nation that you can pray for today.
