Don’t Stop Praying

Question: Why were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed?

Answer: Because someone stopped praying.

Those two cities could have been (and would have been) spared if Abraham would have kept praying. But, he stopped interceding for them. It is presumed that he stopped praying because he thought everything would be ok. Perhaps he was a bit complacent about the situation. It didn’t ruin his promise from God about his future greatness and for his decendant, but it simply shows how he fell short.

Sure, Sodom and Gomorrah were evil cities. But, they were not the only evil cities in the pages of history. We know God was displeased with how evil they were. But we also know He is a merciful God (Think of the city of Nineveh – it was spared when God had planned to destroy it.) With Sodom and Gomorrah, God was also showing mercy. He came and visited Abraham and discussed the situation with him. God gave Abraham a chance to intercede for Sodom and Gomorrah.

If we read the story, as well as the scriptures that later refer back to the story, there actually is more focus on the time God spent listening to Abraham interceding for those cities than there was on the condition of those cities. It’s also clear God would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah if Abraham would have kept praying.

In the process of his discussion with God, Abraham asked God if He would spare the city if there were 50 righteous people. God said He would. Abraham went on to ask if God would spare the cities if there were 45 righteous, then on down to 40 righteous. The numbers kept counting down. But then, Abraham stopped interceding. Perhaps he made the assumption that there were enough people that were righteous to meet the number he had given God. Perhaps he was embarrassed to keep intercedng and begging God. Perhaps he just got tired of asking. We may never really know why he stopped asking. But he did.

What if Abraham would have kept asking? What if he would have asked God if He would spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there were only five righteous? Then asked if He would spare the cities if there were only three righteous? Then two?

What if, Abraham would have then asked, God, “will you spare it if there is one righteous”?

Then… what if… what if?

What if Abraham would have walked down the road to the cities and stood between the two cities and said God, “Do I count? Do I qualify? Am I righteous enough to stand before you on behalf of these cities? Will you destroy the city if I stand here and intercede on behalf of these two cities? What if Abraham would have gone down to the cities and stood in the gap?

As I ponder the story, I realize that we have history to shine on the path of our future. I realized that we we have been invited and given the opportunity to go boldly before God with our requests. We must not stop praying and intercedng for the world and needs around us.

Go boldly before the throne of God. You have not because you ask not.