Importance of Prayer by Suzanne Harden

 

 Importance of Prayer

“So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.”  Genesis 19:29 NIV

God appeared to Abraham and told him that he was about to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham was immediately concerned since his nephew Lot along with his family lived in Sodom. He asked the Lord if He could find fifty righteous people living there, would He spare the place. God said yes.

Abraham then proceeded to ask if he found 40 then 30 then finally 10 righteous people, if God would spare the cities. And God responded that if He found even 10 righteous people there, He would spare the cities. According to the story though, God could not even find 10 righteous people there.

Apparently, Lot was an important city official. The angels found him sitting at the gateway of Sodom. He and his family were comfortable there, despite its corruption. The angels who rescued Lot and his family had to practically pry them away from the city!

According to Genesis 19:16, when Lot hesitated to leave, the angels “grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them.”

God spared Lot and his family as a direct result of Abraham’s prayers for them.

They did not want to leave the city, but God had mercy on them anyway.

This bible story assures me like no other that God also hears our prayers for our loved ones.  "For there is no partiality with God" the Bible says in Romans 2:11. Even though some of the people we love the most may be living lives far from His fellowship, God will have mercy on them and save them in his own time and way as we continue to lift them up to Him in prayer.

In Luke 18:1 we read: "One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up." 

One day the Lord came to visit Abraham along with two angels. He had given him a promise many years before and it had not yet materialized but God didn't want Abraham to give up believing that He would keep His word. I believe He looked Abraham in the eye when He asked him, "Is anything too hard for God?" (Genesis 18:14) "For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." (Ephesians 3:20 MSG)

If God has given you a promise, He will keep it for He is always faithful. Keep praying for those loved ones who are far from Him. Remember the story about Lot every time you get discouraged and never give up hope.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to not give up praying for those who are lost and need your love. In Jesus name. Amen

By Suzanne Harden

Suzanne blogs at Unto The Least Of These