The patriarch Abraham was not afraid to pray boldly before God. In Genesis 18:22-33, we read of Abraham bargaining with God to spare the wicked city of Sodom from destruction based on the number of righteous people.
Earlier, God called Abraham to leave his country with his family, his possessions, and his nephew Lot. On their journey, Abraham asked Lot to choose what part of the land he wanted. Lot chose to place his tent near the wicked city of Sodom. Now Abraham was a man of faith and a friend of God. When Lot chose to pitch his tent near Sodom, Abraham chose to remain standing before God and engage God in proving his righteousness and justice by not destroying the righteous with the wicked in the city of Sodom.
Abraham is taking charge in petitioning God with some initiatives. There is the confrontation in vs. 23-25 followed by some questions and a statement of God’s position as “judge of all the earth” (v.25). In vs. 26-32, Abraham continues bargaining with God in a posture of forgiveness.
In reading vs. 22, we notice that as Abraham prays, he stands before God (v.22), instructing him and challenging him to not be careless and haphazard in his judgment to destroy Sodom.
As Abraham continues to pursue God, he acknowledges his own downfalls while asking God to not be angry with him. In verse 33, we see that the conversation is finished. The end. No more bargaining. The Lord and Abraham each go their own way.
Reflecting on Abraham’s boldness, how have you challenged God to prove to you his righteousness and justice in your life through intercession for others and the world? Has it made you a better man or woman of faith and grown your covenant relationship with him? If you have not prayed boldly to God, I challenge you to do this and see how your relationship with him grows into a beautiful life of faith.
Chaplain Val
