renowned prayers of the

RenowneRenownedd

PrayersPrayersof theof the

BIB

LB

IBLE E

OutlineOutline Abraham’s Prayer for mercy on Sodom

Setting the stage, Genesis chapters 11-19 Abraham’s prayer, Genesis 18:22-33 Lessons from the prayer

Moses’ and Israel’s Song of Thanksgiving Setting the stage, Genesis 37-Exodus 14 Analyzing the song Moses’ & Israel’s actual song, Exodus 15:1-18 Lessons from the song

Conclusion

Abraham’s Abraham’s PrayerPrayer


Setting the StageSetting the StageTerah fathered Abram, Nahor and Haran, 11:27-32Terah heads to Canaan but is permanently waylaid in Haran

God calls Abram, 12:1-9Haran dies and Abram looks after his son LotAbram arrives with Lot in CanaanLife in CanaanAbram and Lot thrive; their herdsmen tangle, they separate, 13:1-11Lot chooses the lush plain of JordanPitches tent near Sodom and Gormorrah, then lives in Sodom, 13:12“Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners…” 13:13Lot and family captured when Sodom falls to conquering kings, 14:1-12Abram frees Lot from the kings, Lot resettles in Sodom, 14:13-16Lot becomes a city father of Sodom; has seat at the city gate, 19:1Men of Sodom burned with homosexual tendencies, 19:1-11After Sodom is destroyed, daughters get Lot drunk and get pregnant by him,19:30-38. Result: creation of two Israeli enemies; Ammonites and Moabites


Setting the StageSetting the StageImmediate context of Abraham’s prayer

A group of three, including the Lord (“Adonay”), appears to Abram by the oaks of Mamre 18:1-15Abraham generously entertains them The Lord promises Sarah will have a son in one year

As the visitors are getting ready to leave:God chooses to reveal judgment on Sodom to Abraham… because from Abraham all the nations of the earth will be blessed (18:17-18). The Lord tells Abraham “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.” 18:20-21

Abraham's PrayerAbraham's PrayerGenesis 18:22-33 Genesis 18:22-33

(22) So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. (23) Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? (24) 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? (25) 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?” (26) And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

Abraham's PrayerAbraham's PrayerGenesis 18:22-33Genesis 18:22-33

(27) Abraham answered and said. “Behold, I have (27) Abraham answered and said. “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. (28) Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you (28) Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” (29) Again he spoke to not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” (29) Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” (30) Then he said, “Oh “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” (30) Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak.” (31) He said, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak.” (31) He said, “Behold I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose “Behold I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.”twenty I will not destroy it.”

Abraham's PrayerAbraham's PrayerGenesis 18:22-33Genesis 18:22-33

(32) Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will (32) Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” (33) And answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” (33) And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.


Lessons from the PrayerLessons from the PrayerLot, an ungodly or godly man?

“and if he [God] rescued Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard; then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials….” 2 Peter 2:7-8

Abraham’s PrayerAbraham’s PrayerLessons from the PrayerLessons from the Prayer

Why did God tell Abraham about destroying Sodom?Call attention to Sodom’s wickednessEstablish that a holy God must judge unrighteousnessGod’s judgment is righteousGod is graciousHelp Abraham understand that intercession works

“Drew near” 18:32, Hebrew word “nagas”, mind and heart reaching out to God in worship and confessionThe prayer: For the sake of 50…45…40…30…20…10 righteous, will you (God) destroy the city?The Bible doesn’t say why Abraham stopped at 10

Perhaps, Abraham thought at <10 it should be destroyedPerhaps because the Spirit restrained Abraham

God told Jeremiah, “do not intercede with me [for Judah]…” Jeremiah 7:16, 14:11


Lessons from the PrayerLessons from the PrayerNature of intercessory prayerFervent prayer, pleading to God, for anotherExamples:

Samuel: viewed intercession for Israel as part of his official duties, the neglect of which was a sin, 1 Samuel 12:23Moses: Nearly all his recorded prayers are intercessory; examples, Deuteronomy 34:10, Exodus 32:31Nehemiah: Gather Diaspora/rebuild Jerusalem, Nehemiah 1:4-11Jesus: high priestly prayer, John 17Paul: prayer for the Ephesians, Ephesians 1:15-23

“Too often we fail God and man because of our lack of desire for prevailing intercession.” Lockyear

“Oh, give me Scotland, or I die” John KnoxBloody Mary feared Knox’s prayers more than an army of soldiers


Lessons from the PrayerLessons from the PrayerKeys to effective intercessory prayerRecognize the needs of othersHumility before God,

“…I who am but dust and ashes…” Genesis 18:27Recognition of God’s sovereignty

Romans 9 and Ephesians 1Recognize God’s desire to save

“Far too often we pray as if we must overcome God’s reluctance rather than to seize upon his willingness.” John Davis “…I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live…” Ezekiel 33:11“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16


Lessons from the PrayerLessons from the PrayerEffectiveness of prayer“…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV) example: ElijahBut, prayer must desire God’s best not our selfish desires

Results Abraham: Sodom destroyed but Lot and his family savedNehemiah: Artaxerxes permits return/rebuilding JerusalemJeremiah: Do not intercede for Judah

Abraham’s intercession pictures Christ’s and the Holy Spirit’s continuing intercession for us

“Consequently, he [Christ] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25“…the Spirit intercedes for the saints…according to the will of God….” Romans 8:26-27

Moses’/Israel’s Moses’/Israel’s SongSong


Setting the StageSetting the StageJoseph sold into slavery by his brothers, Genesis 37He ultimately becomes Pharaoh's deputy, 41:37-57Famine brings Jacob and his family to Egypt, 42-46Jacob’s family multiplies, Exodus 1:7 Threatened Egyptians oppress Jews, Exodus 1:8-22Moses saved, made part of Pharaoh’s family, 2:1-10Moses kills Egyptian task master and flees, 2:11-22God hears Jews cry out from oppression, 2:23-24God calls Moses to set his people free, 3:1-4:17Moses returns to Egypt, Pharaoh refuses to releaseTen plagues, 3:18-12:30Pharaoh permits the Jews to leave, 12:31-32


Setting the StageSetting the StageJews camp by Red Sea, 14:1-2Pharaoh decides to take the Jews back, 14:3-9Jews seeing the Egyptians approaching: better to toil in Egypt than die in the wilderness, 14:10-12Moses: “The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still.” 14:14Waters parted, Jews pass on dry ground, 14:15-22Waters return killing pursuing Egyptians, 14:26-29“Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.” 14:30-31

Moses’/ Israel’s Moses’/ Israel’s SongSong

Analyzing the SongAnalyzing the SongSong: communicating to God (prayer) praise for His power in saving the Israelites from Pharaoh's armyExquisite example of godly praise and thanksgivingin recognition of God’s provisionsSimilar to other prayers in OT and NT celebrating particular events that reveal God’s character

Deborah’s and Barak’s song in response to victory over Sisera and Jabin of Canaan, Judges 5:1-31Hannah’s song at the birth of Samuel, 1 Samuel 2:1-10Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s greeting, Luke 1:46-55


Analyzing the SongAnalyzing the SongPrelude, verse 1, summary Pharaoh's army defeatedFirst stanza, verses 2-6, strength of vanquishing Pharaoh and his armySecond stanza, verses 7-10, focuses on the power of God over nature and the enemy Third stanza, verses 11-18, proclaims the superiority of God over all the gods of the worldNarrative postlude, verse 19Antiphonal response by Miriam and the ladies, repeats words of the prelude, verses 20-21

Moses/Israel’s Moses/Israel’s SongSong Exodus 15:1-21 Exodus 15:1-21

PreludePrelude(1) Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the (1) Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

First StanzaFirst Stanza(2) The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become (2) The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. (3) The Lord is a man of war; the God, and I will exalt him. (3) The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name. (4) Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast Lord is his name. (4) Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. (5) The floods covered them; they went down into the Sea. (5) The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. (6) Your right hand , O Lord, glorious in depths like a stone. (6) Your right hand , O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord shatters the enemy.power, your right hand, O Lord shatters the enemy.


Second StanzaSecond Stanza(7) In greatness of your majesty you overthrow your (7) In greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury, it consumes them like adversaries; you send out your fury, it consumes them like stubble. (8) At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; stubble. (8) At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. (9) The enemy said, “I will pursue, I will heart of the sea. (9) The enemy said, “I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have it fill of overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have it fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.” them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.” (10) You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they (10) You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. sank like lead in the mighty waters.


Third StanzaThird Stanza(11) “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like (11) “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deed, doing you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deed, doing wonders? (12) You stretched out your right hand; the earth wonders? (12) You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. (13) “You have led in your steadfast love the swallowed them. (13) “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. 14) The peoples have your strength to your holy abode. 14) The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia. (15) Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; Philistia. (15) Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. (16) Terror and dread fall upon Canaan have melted away. (16) Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till our people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by stone, till our people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased. whom you have purchased.


(17) You bring them in and plant them on your mountain, the (17) You bring them in and plant them on your mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord which your hands have established. (18) sanctuary, O Lord which your hands have established. (18) The Lord will reign forever and ever.” The Lord will reign forever and ever.”

SummarySummary(19) For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his (19) For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought back the watershorsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought back the watersof the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dryof the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dryground in the midst of the sea.ground in the midst of the sea.

Moses’/Israel’s Moses’/Israel’s SongSong Exodus 15:1-21 Exodus 15:1-21

Antiphonal Response Antiphonal Response (20) Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a (20) Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. (21) And Miriam sang to with tambourines and dancing. (21) And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously; the them: “Sing to the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”


Lessons from the SongLessons from the SongAn example of prayer of praise and thanksgiving:

“Daniel…got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God….” Daniel 6:10

The mandate for prayer with thanksgiving“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7


Lessons from the SongLessons from the SongWhy we can, and should be, thankful:God loves us and has a plan for our lives“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4


Lessons from the SongLessons from the SongThe importance of thanksgiving in our prayer lifeEstablishes the right perspective

We are but “dust and ashes”God is infinite, perfect, holy, sovereign, loving creator…. He absolutely deserves our worship and praise

Helps us take our eyes off the sin troubled earth and instead focus on the hope of God in heaven

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things on earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”“Every good and perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17

When we praise our infinite loving God and His faithfulness, our problems get lost in His greatnessReviewing God’s past faithfulness encourages us for the future

ConclusionConclusionIntercessory prayer

An often overlooked option that can change historyFor whom/what do you need to be fervently praying?

Prayers of praise and thanksgiving Biblical mandate, essential for healthy Christian livingAre you continually praising and thanking God?

renowned prayers of the

Documents

men of sodom

city father of sodom

lot drunk

lord adonay

righteous fare

abrahams prayergenesis

city gate

haran god