Today’s Key Scripture (all references NKJV unless otherwise noted:

So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”

— Genesis 18:26

God’s covenant is essential to intercessory prayer. There are numerous examples throughout the Bible, including Abraham and his nephew Lot.

One day Lot commented to his uncle, “Let’s divide the land. I’ll take one portion and you take the other.” Abraham agreed and said, “You take whatever side you wish.” Lot looked over the territory and chose all the plain of Jordan to the east. Then they separated from each other (Genesis 13:11).

Wickedness ruled the area where Lot lived, and when God decided to obliterate Sodom and Gomorrah, the twin cities of the plains, Abraham pleaded that the Lord would not destroy the righteous with the wicked. That’s when the Lord told Abraham about sparing the cities if there were at least 50 righteous people there.

Abraham wasn’t sure if there were that many in this evil place who could qualify. He bargained with the Lord and the number fell to 40, then 30, then 20, then 10.

There is every indication that Lot was a righteous man in a sinful city. He was perhaps one of the elders since he was located at the gate, a place of authority. You would think that Lot, being righteous, could affect the lives of at least ten men, yet he could not even influence his own wife.

Why was he so ineffective? We never find one mention of Lot praying for anybody or anything.

May God help righteous believers today to understand the crucial role of intercession.

A Prayer for Today:

God, help me to be a righteous intercessor, rightly diving the word of truth and living my life as a faithful witness. Help me to keep my focus on growing and maturing in You every day. Direct my heart and mind towards You as I gain strength through spending time in Your Word. Anoint me for Your purpose and glory. Help me to stand strong for You. Give me confidence to do Your works, knowing that in whatever I do, I seek to do everything in Your Name and Your will. Thank You for Your powerful Presence in my life. In Your Name I pray, Amen!