Posted on May 23, 2015.
Every term we have a teaching in the first week on the topic of intercession. Intercession is one of my favorite topics to teach about but it’s also one of my favorite things to do! Especially when we have times of corporate intercession praying for places like North Korea, West Africa, & China…just to name a few!
I often read and meditate on the story of Abraham when he was interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah. I am struck by how God’s heart is revealed through their interaction. He desires to share with Abraham what was on His heart. Gen. 18:17-18 He says…”Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed?”
So… as Abraham is before Him, in His presence the LORD brings up the topic.
How often when we are in God’s presence are we silent long enough to allow Him to bring things up?
As Abraham spoke with God about the nations He was ready to destroy, Abraham called on the character of God. “if there are 50..45…40..” all the way down to 10 because He (as he is called later in scripture) was a friend of God, he was not afraid to approach Him banking on his Mercy and goodness.
And the next day (Gen 19:27-28)….”Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD; and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace.” As Abraham watched the Cities be destroyed, what went through His mind? What would go through your mind? Sometimes we stand watching a situation we have prayed and interceded for, and it seems that all is lost. And yet, God is so faithful, in the midst of ruins God’s mercy is extended… 19:29 “Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.”
How Long before Abraham knew that Lot and his family were saved? Did he ever know? Sometimes we will intercede for people, for nations, for situations and never know the outcome. Yet, when we intercede we can know that God hears, and God is gracious and He ALWAYS answers.
So, this is why I love to spend time in intercession, when we all get together and listen to God and get His heart on a subject. Then we get to trust that He is at work and know that the outcome will be amazing. Don’t give up praying for those you love, for the nation God has put on your heart, for the friend or family member who has walked away from the Lord. The Lord is good and he hears our prayers.