LESSONS ON PRAYER …

Abraham’s prayer legacy is perhaps best illustrated in the way he sought for the survival of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. You remember. The Lord plainly told Abraham what was about to happen, about the coming judgment upon sin. Then the Bible says:

“And the men (angels) turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. And Abraham drew near, and said (praying), Wilt thou (Lord) also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.” Genesis 18:22-33

This prayer, one of the fullest in the Old Testament, is “conversational!” Truly Abraham pleads with God, asks God for “Mercy” upon Sodom, for the sake of a few righteous people. And God correspondingly answers (communes) with his interceding servant!

So learn this Lesson. Prayer can (and perhaps even should) be two-way! Though now God does not talk to us audibly … He yet does through His Word. And through the Holy Spirit!

Prayer too can be persistent! Almost demanding! The “numbers” (safety quota for Sodom) began at 50. But soon dwindled to 10. Because of Abraham’s importunity. He wouldn’t quit! Jesus shared at least two parables on this same theme … keep on asking!

Also don’t you see that this prayer is unselfish? Abraham asked for NOTHING for himself! Intercession implies praying for others! No wonder God responds so warmly! Remember Job 42:10. “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Do YOU pray for your loved ones, for others, daily?

Wow!

Notice the humility in the prayer as well. Abraham is lowly, God is exalted! Genesis 18:27-28 … “And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes. Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.” Just “dust and ashes,” how humble!

Then too, Abraham prays according to the Character of God! God does all things right! God is the Judge of all the earth! God is to be approached reverently! God is not to be “pushed” too far, either. At the number 10, Abraham ceased asking and God departed. Both Paul and Jeremiah were told (by the Lord) to STOP praying about certain issues they faced as well!

Then, maybe more incidentally, but it looks like this prayer was offered in a special place. When the communion had ended … God left, “went His Way.”  But too Abraham “returned to his place.” Maybe it is wise to have a “closet” (using Jesus’ words) in which to seek the Lord! A place “apart.”

One more idea, Lesson, tomorrow morning.

We need to look at the type of person who can so gain God’s Ear.

And I thought I could cover “Abraham the Prayer Warrior” in one day!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell