In October of 1989, I joined more than 400 ministry leaders from every continent at a conference in Lausanne, Switzerland. As the conference progressed we were drawn into an unplanned time of prayer for the nations. It seemed almost spontaneous when the leader of this session suggested, “Let’s pray against the spirit of communism.” Immediately voices of many languages were raised almost as one, crying out for the Almighty to bring down this terrible power. Hands were lifted into the air as the crowd prayed with fervency. By the time the prayers had ended, everyone experienced a conviction that something in the heavenlies had taken a serious hit. To our delight but to no one’s surprise, less than one month later on November 9 the Berlin Wall fell. Nations in Eastern Europe were opening their borders. Communism was broken.
The Father desires to share his heart for the nations with us. Abraham likewise desired to know the heart of God. He demonstrates in this passage the very reason why God chose him to become “The Father of Many Nations” as he prayed for arguably the most wicked cities on Earth. We could focus on Abraham’s motivations, which always have been called into question since his nephew’s family lived in Sodom, but I suggest we look instead to God as he responded favorably to spare the cities if only 10 righteous people dwelled there. Indisputably, GOD WANTS YOU TO INTERCEDE FOR WICKED CITIES!
A challenge for you: Will you pray for a wicked city today? What nation would God bring to your mind? Let’s join with the outcries of many others for a visitation of God in the most evil and therefore the most needy areas of the world.
Bryce Whiting, Bristol, Conn.
Extended Scripture: Genesis 17–18
