Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal Blessings, Prayer For: Abraham

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In the biblical narrative, Abraham stands as a central figure whose life is marked by divine blessings, both spiritual and temporal. The temporal blessings bestowed upon Abraham are significant, as they not only reflect God's favor but also serve as a foundation for the unfolding of God's covenantal promises.

Divine Promise and Temporal Blessings

The account of Abraham begins with a divine call and promise. In Genesis 12:1-3 , God commands Abram to leave his country and promises, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing." This promise encapsulates both spiritual and temporal blessings, indicating that Abraham's obedience would lead to material prosperity and influence.

As Abraham journeys in faith, the temporal blessings manifest in various forms. Genesis 13:2 notes, "And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold." This wealth is a direct result of God's blessing, underscoring the material prosperity that accompanies Abraham's faithfulness.

Prayer and Intercession

Abraham's relationship with God is characterized by direct communication and intercession. In Genesis 15:2-3 , Abraham expresses his concerns to God, saying, "O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" This prayer reveals Abraham's desire for a temporal blessing in the form of an heir, which is crucial for the fulfillment of God's promise to make him a great nation.

God responds to Abraham's prayer with a covenant, assuring him that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). This divine assurance highlights the importance of prayer in the life of Abraham, as it becomes a means through which temporal blessings are both requested and received.

Fulfillment of Temporal Blessings

The birth of Isaac is the fulfillment of God's promise and Abraham's prayer for an heir. Genesis 21:1-3 records, "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him." Isaac's birth is a testament to God's faithfulness in granting temporal blessings in response to prayer.

Moreover, Abraham's temporal blessings extend beyond wealth and progeny. His influence and reputation grow, as seen in Genesis 23:6 , where the Hittites acknowledge him as "a mighty prince among us." This recognition by others is a reflection of the temporal blessings that accompany God's covenant with Abraham.

Legacy of Temporal Blessings

Abraham's life sets a precedent for understanding the relationship between divine promise, prayer, and temporal blessings. His account illustrates that while spiritual blessings are paramount, temporal blessings are also integral to God's plan. Abraham's faith and prayerful intercession serve as a model for believers seeking God's favor in their own lives.

In summary, the temporal blessings in Abraham's life are a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of prayer. They demonstrate how divine promises are realized through a combination of faith, obedience, and intercession, providing a rich tapestry of God's interaction with humanity.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 15:2-4
And Abram said, LORD God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... be sure that the particular temporal blessing that we ... spirit of our Lord's agonizing
prayer in the ... an inexhaustible fulness of spiritual blessings treasured up ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

part 2
... not mean that at all, for spiritual blessings cannot be ... of the principles and conditions
of temporal prosperity ... of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that (now ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 2.htm

The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts
... PSALM 103 PART 1 Praise for spiritual and temporal mercies. ... PSALM 127 The blessing
of God on the business and comforts of ... PSALM 133 The blessings of friendship ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/

Prayer --The Forerunner of Mercy
... 4. And yet again, prayer before the blessing serves to ... If we had the blessings without
asking for them ... makes the common pebbles of God's temporal bounties more ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/prayerthe forerunner of mercy.htm

The Gospel Feast
... Old Testament which speaks of the temporal blessings given by ... How could spiritual
blessings be visible ones ... of religion,"by a prayer, or blessing, or sacrifice ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm

The Intercourse of God and his Friend
... The whirlwind of temporal judgments makes no distinctions between ... Many a drop of
blessing trickles from the wet ... is not rare to see diffused blessings which are ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the intercourse of god and.htm

The Prayer of Stephen.
... that the plan so rich in blessing to believers ... confidence that they would manage
the temporal affairs of ... charge, there will always be such blessings to rejoice ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxiii the prayer of stephen.htm

The Allegories of Sarah and Hagar
... Ishmael such-and-such a blessing; he shall be the father of princes, he shall have
temporal blessings; but God would not turn aside, even for Abraham's prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the allegories of sarah and.htm

Prayer
... God prescribed a set form of blessing for the priests. ... our prayer is not so much
for temporal mercies as ... that we may have large returns of spiritual blessings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 6 prayer.htm

True Prayer --True Power!
... If you want either a temporal or spiritual mercy, say ... will measure the amount of
the blessing he will ... thee with zeal and earnestness, the blessings which thou ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/true prayertrue power.htm