Notice these verses

Genesis 18:22-33 KJV

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. [23] And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? [24] Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? [25] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? [26] And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. [27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: [28] Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. [29] And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. [30] And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. [31] And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. [32] And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. [33] And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Last week, we studied Sarah and the news of Isaac being born. This week, we are looking at intercessory prayer for those who have gone away from the Lord.

First, we must recognize what intercessory prayer is. According to Merriam- Websters dictionary, intercessory prayer is the act of interceding

: prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another

This is exactly what's going on in this text.

Abraham is interceding for Lot and his family. Notice the question that is mentioned in our text (verse 23) ....Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

Unlike Jonah,who didn't care about the people of Nineveh, Abraham cared for the folks of Sodom and Gomorrah. That's why he prayed to see Sodom and Gommorrah spared if he could find fifty righteous.

Did Abraham agree to the lifestyle of Lot? No, but he cared for Lot because Lot was a part of his family.

Notice, we must intercede for those who have gone astray from the Lord.

Lot has become a backslidden believer, and Abraham is interceding on his behalf.

Secondly, Abraham intercedes for the city of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Lot is living there, and Abraham doesn't want anything to happen to the place where Lot is living.

Friend, there are a lot of things that I disagree with that are going on in America today, but I live here, and I want to see the mercy of God on our land.

Friend, you may disagree on politics or anything else for that matter, but God has called us to intercede on the behalf of those in authority. 

Prayer is the very last weapon mentioned in Ephesians 6 in the whole Armour of God.

Alot of people stop at verse 17 where it states

Ephesians 6:17 KJV

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

But if you notice the last punctuation in the verse its a colon. This means that whatever after it is a continuation of the verses before.

Notice now verse 18-20

Ephesians 6:18-20 KJV

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; [19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul said that prayer was just as important as the Word of God because these two go hand in hand.

You and I have the privilege of praying for others.

May we be clean so if needed we can go straight to the Father on someone else's behalf.

Thank you for reading today's fire-starter devotional. If it was a blessing to you please share it with someone. Also please send your prayer request to Justin@rtfministries.net by tomorrow evening. Also subscribe to my YouTube channel @rekindlingthefire