Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered for Sodom

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Introduction

The narrative of Sodom, found in the book of Genesis, provides a profound example of intercessory prayer and its potential impact. The account centers around Abraham's plea for the city of Sodom, which was marked for destruction due to its grievous sins. This account highlights the power of prayer, the righteousness of God, and His willingness to engage with His faithful servants.

Biblical Context

The account of Sodom is primarily located in Genesis 18-19. The city, along with Gomorrah, was notorious for its wickedness, prompting God to reveal to Abraham His intention to destroy it. This revelation sets the stage for one of the most significant intercessory prayers in the Bible.

Abraham's Intercession

Upon learning of Sodom's impending doom, Abraham approaches God with a bold and compassionate plea. In Genesis 18:23-25 , Abraham questions, "Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people who are there?" Abraham's prayer is characterized by a deep concern for justice and mercy, reflecting his understanding of God's character.

God's Response

God's response to Abraham's intercession is both gracious and revealing of His nature. In Genesis 18:26 , the Lord replies, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." This dialogue continues, with Abraham persistently negotiating the number down to ten righteous individuals. Each time, God affirms His willingness to spare the city if such a remnant is found.

The Outcome

Despite Abraham's fervent intercession, the narrative reveals that not even ten righteous individuals could be found in Sodom. Consequently, the city was destroyed, as described in Genesis 19. However, the prayer was not without effect. God remembered Abraham's plea and spared Lot, Abraham's nephew, and his family from the destruction (Genesis 19:29).

Theological Implications

The account of Abraham's intercession for Sodom underscores several key theological themes:

1. The Power of Intercessory Prayer: Abraham's dialogue with God demonstrates the potential influence of intercessory prayer. It shows that God is willing to engage with His people and consider their petitions, especially when they align with His character of justice and mercy.

2. God's Righteousness and Mercy: The narrative highlights God's righteousness in addressing sin while simultaneously showcasing His mercy. God's willingness to spare the city for the sake of a few righteous individuals illustrates His desire to extend grace and avert judgment.

3. The Role of the Righteous: The account emphasizes the significance of the righteous within a community. The presence of even a small number of righteous individuals can have a profound impact, potentially altering the course of divine judgment.

4. Human Responsibility: Abraham's intercession reflects the responsibility of believers to pray for others, including those who are lost or living in sin. It serves as a model for believers to approach God with boldness and compassion, trusting in His justice and mercy.

Conclusion

The account of prayer for Sodom remains a powerful testament to the efficacy of intercessory prayer and the character of God. It encourages believers to engage in prayer with faith and persistence, trusting in God's righteous and merciful nature.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 18:23-33
And Abraham drew near, and said, Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Prayer and Importunity
... answer a prayer and when it is answered, and we ... That is to say, it is prayer on fire,
having ... intercessions of Abraham for the salvation of Sodom and Gomorrah ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vi prayer and importunity.htm

Prayer and the Word of God
... The prayer of submission is without a definite word ... had no definite promise that
God would spare Sodom. ... but he prayed specifically, and God answered definitely ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xii prayer and the word.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... might live before thee," and on one special occasion he interceded for Sodom. ... in
prayer, it becomes us to bless God that prayer has been answered so many ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

A Strain of Sodom.
... Answered the mob insane: "And who art thou? 80 And what? and whence? ... Preventing
[1228] Sodom's penalties!" And eke. ... They, favouring his prayer, safety assured. ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/2 a strain of sodom.htm

Olney Hymns
... Gen 5:24. Hymn 4 Walking with GOD. Hymn 5 Lot in Sodom. Gen 13:10. ... Hymn 34 The prisoner.
Hymn 35 Perplexity relieved. Hymn 36 Prayer answered by crosses. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... Thus, Abraham prayed for Sodom; and, through his intercession, Lot was saved. ... this
means our Lord had sufficiently tried her faith, he answered her prayer. ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

The Insistency of Prayer
... We have Jacob wrestling. We have Abraham pleading, yea, haggling, with God for
Sodom. ... And it was answered, as many a similar prayer has been. ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter vii the insistency of.htm

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... In a sentence, Hezekiah's prayer is answered, and then the ... Hezekiah's prayer has,
as it were, fired the fuse or ... If it becomes as Sodom, it shares Sodom's fate. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... Now God's gracious designs are answered, he removed the ... let me remind you that
intercessory prayer has been ... with him again and again for Sodom; how frequently ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

Order and Argument in Prayer
... Sodom was to be pleaded for, and Abraham begins, "Peradventure there be fifty ... that
was in the trenches, for Jehovah God had answered his servant's prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/order and argument in prayer.htm