Interceding with Faith: Abraham's Model for Prayer

Devotional

Day 1: Praying for the Lost with Persistent Faith

Abraham’s intercession for Sodom shows the power of persistent, faith-filled prayer for those who seem far from God. Even when situations look hopeless, God invites us to partner with Him, standing in the gap for our family, friends, and communities. Like Abraham, we may not see immediate results, but our prayers matter deeply to God, and He desires that none should perish. Don’t give up, even if you’ve been praying for years—God is working in ways you cannot see, and your faith-filled prayers can make an eternal difference. [15:23]

Genesis 18:22-32 (ESV)
So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”

Reflection: Who is one person you’ve nearly given up praying for? Will you commit to interceding for them again this week, trusting God’s heart and timing?

Day 2: God’s Heart for the Lost

God’s desire is not for judgment, but for every person to turn from their ways and find life in Him. He is patient, longing for all to come to repentance, and He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. When we pray for the lost, we align ourselves with God’s own heart—a heart overflowing with mercy, compassion, and hope for redemption. Let this truth fuel your prayers and give you confidence that you are praying in agreement with God’s deepest desire. [20:14]

Ezekiel 33:11 (ESV)
Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Reflection: As you pray for someone far from God, how does knowing God’s heart for their salvation change the way you pray for them today?

Day 3: Faith Is God’s Gift and Our Response

Faith is not about being good enough or having it all together; it is about believing God and trusting His promises. Even Abraham, called righteous for his faith, made mistakes—yet God still invited him to partner in His redemptive work. The faith we need to pray and believe for others is a gift from God, not something we muster up ourselves. If you feel weak or inadequate, ask the Holy Spirit to give you His faith, and step out in trust, knowing that God honors even the smallest seed of faith. [23:01]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Reflection: Where do you feel your faith is lacking as you pray for others? Will you ask the Holy Spirit today to fill you with His faith and help you trust God’s promises?

Day 4: Tearing Down Spiritual Strongholds

There is a spiritual battle for the minds and hearts of those who do not know Christ. The enemy blinds people to the truth, building strongholds of lies, pride, and unbelief. But God has given us spiritual weapons—prayer, the Word, and the authority of Jesus—to tear down these strongholds. As you pray, declare God’s truth over your loved ones, resist the enemy, and believe that God is at work breaking down every barrier that keeps them from seeing the light of the gospel. [26:56]

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (ESV)
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Reflection: What is one specific lie or stronghold you sense is keeping your loved one from Christ? How can you pray and declare God’s truth over that area today?

Day 5: Faith in Action—Praying and Declaring God’s Promises

Faith is not passive; it requires action. Like Abraham, we are called to look beyond what we see and declare God’s promises over those we love. This might mean putting up a photo of the person you’re praying for, writing out scriptures, and daily speaking God’s truth over their life. Don’t be discouraged by what you see in the natural—see with the eyes of faith, and keep believing that God is able to do what seems impossible. Your prayers and declarations are powerful and effective. [30:07]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to put your faith into action for someone you’re praying for—such as writing out a promise of God and declaring it over their life each day?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the powerful story of Abraham and his intercession for Sodom, drawing out lessons for how we pray for those in our lives who do not yet know Christ. Abraham’s journey began with a call from God to leave everything familiar and step into the unknown, trusting in God’s promise to bless him and make him a blessing to all nations. This call was not just about Abraham’s personal journey, but about his role in God’s redemptive plan for the world—a plan that still unfolds through us today.

As Abraham watched Sodom descend into wickedness, he was confronted with the seeming impossibility of change. Yet, when God revealed His intention to judge Sodom, Abraham stepped into the gap, wrestling with God in prayer for the city’s salvation. This was not a mere negotiation, but a profound partnership—God inviting Abraham to share His heart for mercy and redemption. Abraham’s persistent, faith-filled intercession is a model for us as we pray for family, friends, and others who seem far from God.

We often feel discouraged when our prayers for loved ones seem unanswered, or when years pass without visible change. Abraham’s story reminds us that God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, and that He calls us to persevere in faith. Our prayers are not rendered ineffective by our imperfections or past failures—Abraham himself made many mistakes, yet God still chose him to intercede. Faith is not about our own strength or goodness, but about trusting in God’s faithfulness and using the faith He gives us.

We are engaged in a spiritual battle, where the minds of those we love are often blinded by strongholds—false beliefs, pride, and temptations. God has given us spiritual weapons to tear down these strongholds through prayer, declaring truth over our loved ones, and standing in the gap as intercessors. This is an active, ongoing responsibility, not a passive hope. We are called to pray with expectation, to declare God’s promises, and to believe for transformation even when we cannot yet see it.

Let us not give up, but continue to pray with faith, using the authority Christ has given us, trusting that God is at work even in the unseen. As we pray, we partner with God in His desire to bring salvation to all, just as Abraham did.

Key Takeaways

1. God Invites Us Into Partnership, Not Passivity Abraham’s story shows that God seeks people who will stand in the gap and intercede for others. He does not act alone but invites us to share His heart and participate in His redemptive work. Our prayers matter, and God is looking for those willing to wrestle with Him for the sake of others. [10:45]
2. Faith Is Rooted in God’s Faithfulness, Not Our Perfection Abraham was far from perfect—he made significant mistakes, yet God still called him righteous because he believed. Our effectiveness in prayer is not based on our holiness or track record, but on trusting God’s promises and relying on the faith He provides. Even when we feel inadequate, God’s grace and faithfulness are enough. [20:14]
3. Spiritual Strongholds Must Be Addressed in Prayer The real battle for the lost is fought in the spiritual realm, where minds are blinded by lies, pride, and unbelief. God has given us spiritual weapons to tear down these strongholds, not through human effort but through prayer, declaration of truth, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. We are called to actively engage in this battle for those we love. [25:51]
4. Perseverance in Prayer Is Essential, Even When Results Are Unseen Like Abraham, we may pray for years without seeing immediate change, but God calls us to persist. Faith looks forward, declaring God’s promises over our loved ones and believing for their salvation, even when circumstances seem unchanged. Our prayers are seeds that God uses in His timing. [28:53]
5. We Have Authority in Christ to Pray With Boldness Jesus has given us authority to pray, to dismantle strongholds, and to declare freedom and salvation over others. This authority is not based on our own merit but on Christ’s victory. As we pray, we can confidently ask the Holy Spirit to move, trusting that God’s power is at work to bring clarity, conviction, and transformation.

** [33:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Men’s Gathering Announcement
[04:00] - Introduction to Praying for the Lost
[07:27] - Abraham’s Call and Journey
[10:45] - Abraham’s Heart for Sodom
[13:30] - Abraham’s Intercession and God’s Response
[15:23] - The Outcome for Sodom and Lot’s Family
[17:00] - God’s Desire for Mercy and Salvation
[20:14] - Abraham’s Imperfections and God’s Grace
[21:25] - Faith as the Economy of Heaven
[24:02] - Spiritual Weapons and Strongholds
[25:51] - The Battle for the Mind
[28:10] - Faith in Action and Perseverance
[30:07] - Practical Steps for Praying for Loved Ones
[33:20] - Praying With Authority and Dismantling Strongholds
[36:59] - Praying for Those With Dementia and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 18:16–33 (ESV) — > Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? ...”
> (Read the full passage: Genesis 18:16–33)

Ezekiel 33:11 (ESV) — > Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (ESV) — > For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Observation Questions

In Genesis 18, what is Abraham’s response when God reveals His plan for Sodom? What does Abraham do, and how does he approach God?
According to Ezekiel 33:11, what is God’s attitude toward the wicked?
In 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, what are the “strongholds” Paul talks about, and how are they to be addressed?
The sermon described Abraham’s intercession as “wrestling with God” rather than just negotiating. What does this mean, and how did Abraham show persistence in his prayers? [13:30]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to reveal His plans for Sodom to Abraham? What does this say about God’s desire for partnership with people? [10:45]
The sermon said, “Abraham was far from perfect—he made significant mistakes, yet God still called him righteous because he believed.” How does this challenge our ideas about who can be effective in prayer? [20:14]
What are some examples of “spiritual strongholds” that might keep people from believing in Christ, according to the sermon? How does prayer play a role in breaking these strongholds? [25:51]
The sermon emphasized perseverance in prayer, even when we don’t see results. Why is it important to keep praying for loved ones who seem far from God? [28:53]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “God seeks people who will stand in the gap and intercede for others.” Who is one person in your life you feel called to pray for regularly? What is one step you can take this week to pray for them more intentionally? [10:45]
Have you ever felt discouraged or given up praying for someone because you didn’t see any change? What would it look like to “persevere in faith” for that person, as Abraham did? [28:53]
The sermon talked about “spiritual strongholds” like false beliefs, pride, and temptations. Can you identify a specific stronghold that might be affecting someone you’re praying for? How could you pray specifically against that stronghold? [25:51]
Abraham’s effectiveness in prayer wasn’t based on his perfection, but on his faith in God’s promises. Are there any feelings of inadequacy or past failures that hold you back from praying boldly? How can you remind yourself that God’s faithfulness is what matters? [20:14]
The pastor suggested practical steps like putting up a photo of your loved one and declaring scripture over them. Is there a practical action you could take this week to remind yourself to pray and to declare God’s promises over someone? [30:07]
The sermon said, “We have authority in Christ to pray with boldness.” What does it mean to pray with authority, and how might that change the way you pray for others? [33:20]
Think about a time when you saw God answer a prayer for someone’s salvation or transformation. How did that experience shape your faith? How can you use that memory to encourage yourself and others to keep praying?

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