Today’s Key Scripture

“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 that of Abraham and his nephew Lot.

Genesis 13 tells the story of how Abraham, to avoid strife between himself and his nephew, told Lot they should divide the land. He allowed Lot to choose first. “Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other” (verse 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 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 that 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 10 men, but 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 be a righteous intercessor, rightly dividing the word of truth and living my life as a faithful witness. Help me focus on growing and maturing in You every day. Direct my heart and mind toward You as I gain strength through spending time in Your Word. Anoint me for Your purpose and glory. Help me 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 in Your will. Thank You for Your powerful presence in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

 

*All references NKJV unless otherwise noted.