Keep Praying

By: Wendy Sanders

Monday, November 18, 2024

Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?” And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.” Genesis 18:32 (NLT)

The Holiday season can be stressful. It seems like there are more things to do than we have time for, and more places to be than we can possibly be at. Stressful times can bring quarrels, even amongst close family. A family that quarreled during stressful times was Abraham's. Abraham and his nephew Lot kept arguing over land and possessions, so they eventually decided to part ways. Lot went towards Sodom, and Abraham went the other direction. (Genesis 13)

Scripture doesn't give us the details of their conflict resolution, but in Genesis 18, Abraham pleads with the Lord to not destroy Sodom completely. Why? Because he knew his nephew was living there. Abraham's plea wasn't about being right, he made it out of compassion and love for a close relative's family. Abraham wasn't just worried about Lot; He was concerned for the well-being of Lot's wife, his two daughters, their husbands, and their children. We can imagine Abraham's cry; “Please Lord, save them from destruction.”

Family or friends can part ways for many different reasons. One way the holiday season can be hard is when we remember past hurts... Family dynamics may even bring us bitterness and discouragement. But Abraham and Lot’s story is a great reminder; no matter what the situation was (or is), we must plead with the Lord to save our family and friends. Even if we parted ways with them on “bad terms”, we shouldn't give up praying for them.

...God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the destruction when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived. Genesis 19:29 (NASB)

God listened to Abraham's intercessory prayer and pulled Lot out of the destruction. By God’s grace and mercy, Lot and his family were saved! Let's follow Abraham's example and take time to pray for our family and friends.