Intercessory Prayer Purposes Genesis 18:22-23 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom; but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. And Abraham drew near, and said, With thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? The background of today's lesson study is that sin and wickedness had become so prevalent and perverted that God was going to destroy the entire city of Sodom. Abraham a righteous man who was very concern for his relative Lot and other righteous so much so that he went to God in prayer asking Him not to destroy the entire city (vv. 22-23). God answered Abraham's prayer by sparing the city and destroying the wicked that was within the city. From our illustration, an intercessory prayer serves specific purposes made by God's people. With that being said, then our intercessory prayers serves a purpose in that God-fearing believers pleads with God to turn aside His judgment (Genesis 18:22-23). Intercessory prayers help to restore God's people (Nehemiah 1; Daniel 9). Intercessory prayers deliver individuals from danger (Acts 12:5, 12; Romans 15:31); also, intercessory prayers are prayed to bless God's people (Numbers 6:24-26; 1 Kings 18:41-45; Psalm 122:6-8). There are intercessory healing prayers (1 Kings 17:20-21; Acts 28:8; James 5:14-16), prayers for the forgiveness of sin, Christian growth, for the Holy Spirit's power to come, effective leadership and ministry work, salvation of others and for people to offer praises to God. Therefore, intercessory prayers are both powerful and purposeful; prayer warriors-pray on because your prayers are making a difference. Comments are welcome Author's contact: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com, white3285@sbcglobal.net Again, today's discussion is taken from my Heavenly Bread devotional as it is a prelude to my study guide on prayer. Heavenly Bread is available through www.Amazon.com, www.createspaces.com and the author.
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