Intercession for Others
Early in the Scriptures the experience of Abraham gives us a lovely example of intercessory prayer. The old patriarch prays for the deliverance of his nephew Lot, when he learns that God is about to destroy the city of Sodom where Lot and his family live. “Abraham came near [to the Lord] and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?’” (Gen. 18:23). He then pleads for the safety of the city if fifty righteous can be found in it, bargaining his way down to ten righteous people.
This latter figure could well be the number in Lot’s own family. There were: Lot and his wife, and two virgin daughters living at home (Gen. 19:15, 4 people), plus sons-in-law, married to Lot’s daughters (vs. 14, at least 4 more people), and “sons” (vs. 12, may imply at least 2 more). Abraham knew his nephew was a believer (cf. II Pet. 2:7-8), but he seems to have assumed a greater influence for that worldly compromiser than Lot actually had.
- Abraham showed an appreciation for the justice of God in his prayer (Gen. 18:25).
- He had a loving concern for the welfare of others.
- He speaks to God with humility (vs. 27).
- Perhaps there is even a desire to see the wicked Sodomites come to repentance and faith in God, in that the preservation of a few righteous would spare the whole city.
- In the end Lot was rescued because of Abraham’s intercession (Gen. 19:29).
Some would deny that it is possible for our prayers to change God’s mind, but I am not so sure about that. God knows what will eventually be done, because He knows all things. But somehow He has designed intercessory and prevailing prayer to operate within the sphere of His sovereignty. Prayer “avails much” (Jas. 5:16). Prayer moves the hand of God in those matters He has sovereignly permitted to be affected by the input of His people. So, do we pray for others as we should? That is the question.