So Be ItSample

So much about prayer is a mystery. But over and over we see in the Bible that praying for others can make a tremendous difference in their lives. Abraham prayed that God would spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when their sin demanded justice to be done against them. He asked God if He would spare the city if 50 righteous people were found in it. God agreed. Five more times Abraham asked God, each time reducing the amount of people, from 45 to 40 to 30 to 20 to ten. And each time God said he would spare the city. “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it” (Genesis 18.32). But then, for some reason, Abraham stopped asking. And judgment came. Surely the counsels of God’s righteous judgments belong to Him alone. Nevertheless, when we pray for mercy for others, including our families, as Abraham did, we can be assured he is listening and will respond. What would have happened if Abraham had kept praying?

Gracious Almighty God, before whom all people must one day give account, have mercy on us according to your great kindness and patience. Today I pray for others in my life. Have mercy on our world, my nation, my state, county, city, neighborhood and family. In the name of Jesus, who offered His life - righteous for the unrighteous - I’m praying for your grace and forgiveness for all these. Thank you for the amazing grace that has brought me salvation. Please use me to share it with others that they might know you as the God who “so loved the world” in Jesus. Amen and So Be It.