Sometimes when we are struggling on our own prayer life, it can be helpful to look back over prayers in the bible. An example that is worth looking at is the prayer of Abraham in Genesis 18:23-33. Take time now to read this prayer.
There are several things to notice about Abraham’s prayer. The first is that it is other person centered. Abraham was not seeking something for himself but for the city of Sodom, not all of the city but for the righteous within that city. God had revealed to Abraham what he intended to do, verse 17. We might wonder why. I’m inclined to think it was to see how Abraham responded.
Abraham was not afraid to boldly come before God with his request. He had faith that he could talk to God and plead with God and question Him without reprisal. He had faith in the merciful character of God, as well as recognizing the judgment of God. Because God is merciful God Abraham felt free to come before him with the request for the lives of the righteous. He knew God is not only merciful, he is just, verse 25. Do you have that same confidence to come before God and talk to him from the heart and know He won’t be angry, because you know the character of God and have a relationship with Him?
Abraham had a heart of compassion for the righteous. Do you have that same heart of compassion and pray for the needs of others?
The other thing this prayer of Abraham shows is his humility before God, verse27 and also his persistence. He did not give up. He cared enough to seek the welfare of the few in that city who were righteous. How persistent are you in prayer if at first God doesn’t seem to be answering the way you would like?
Think about your prayer life. What can you learn from this prayer of Abraham?
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