“Do We Stop Too Soon?”

“For the sake of ten I will not destroy it” (Genesis 18:32).

Prayer can be a poor thing. Like a child with a Christmas list I approach God saying gimmie, gimmie, gimme until I have exposed my poor selfish soul. My lack of earnestness tends to show through when my prayers degenerate into such vague generalities as “Thank you...Bless the sick...forgive my sins.”

But prayer can be a noble thing as Abraham proved in the long ago. He believed that his friendship with God carried with it certain privileges and responsibilities. So when God announced He was going to destroy the city of Sodom, Abraham interceded. He “drew near” to God, and on “a true footing of fellowship” poured out his heart.

Abraham knew what God planned to do, but prayed that the city of Sodom might be spared. He wanted God to change His mind and reverse His decision, and did not hesitate to ask Him to do so. Abraham was genuinely concerned about others and that concern was manifest in earnest prayer.

Abraham had something definite in mind when he prayed. “Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; wilt thou then destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?” He knew what he wanted and asked for it.

Abraham approached God humbly, yet with boldness. He felt perfectly free to ask God, “Shall not the Judge of the whole earth do right?”

Persistence is everywhere in evidence as Abraham asked God six different times for what he wanted. “Will you save the city for fifty righteous?...for 45?...for 40?...30?…”

Each time God met the request of His friend with a definite promise. “If I find...I will spare.” God was listening to Abraham! As long as Abraham asked, God answered. Even when the number got down to ten, God said, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”

Remember! Abraham ceased asking before God ceased giving.

  —John Gipson