Mind the Gap预览

The Friend in Sin

In the same way that Moses was able to save the rebellious nation of Israel from God's wrath, we have the power to rescue our friends through prayer.

God was so angry at his people for worshiping the golden calf that he decided to destroy them. "Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them" (Exodus 32:10, NLT). But Moses believed in the power of intercession. He believed that God answers prayers, even when it is for someone else. And God changed his mind! "So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people" (Exodus 32:14, NLT).

God still hates sin today. He hates it so much that He will punish it with eternal death on judgment day. He will destroy everything and everybody who goes against his perfect plan for the world that He has created. Unless we ask him to change his mind about our friends. Like Jesus did for us. "But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6, NLT).

Do you believe that God might change his mind about your friend in sin? Which promises of God are available to your friend through your prayers?

Let us intercede for our friends who are heading for disaster. God is still willing to change his mind about them. An unknown author describes it like this: "Intersession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying."

God has not changed. He still wants everybody to be saved. And He allows us to be part of this great victory over sin. "If people are in trouble and you say, 'Help them,' God will save them. Even sinners will be rescued; they will be rescued because your hands are pure" (Job 22:29-30, NLT).