READING: Genesis 18:1-21:7
Abraham prayed for the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah, and God saved Lot—a righteous man (2 Pet 2:7-8)—from the destruction. What is striking is that Lot hesitated to leave the city, seemingly keeping one foot in the city and one foot out. God nevertheless trumped his hesitance in response to the prayers of Abraham. In fact, angels “seized his hand” to get him out of the city before judgment came (Gen 18:16). The prayer of a righteous man really does make a difference.
I’m reminded today of two things. First, I’m responsible to pray not only for non-believers, but also for believers seeking to live out their faith in a pagan, dark world. I cannot know how close some of my brothers and sisters are to lingering too long in the wrong place or with the wrong person; that is, I cannot know how close they might be to falling under the judgment of God. What I can know is my privilege to pray that God will send rescuing angels to protect them from themselves sometimes.
Second, I’m even more aware of the importance of having someone pray for me this same way. Our hearts are deceitful enough that we may not recognize how close we are to lingering somewhere, too—so we need the prayerful help of others. May God give us those kinds of prayer warriors who guard our backs!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you praying for someone this way? Is someone likewise praying for you?
PRAYER: “Father, give me those folks who pray for me even while I pray for others.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Genesis 21:8-23:20, Genesis 11:32, Genesis 24:1-67
