Read Genesis 18:16-33.

In my estimation, persistent prayer is the Achilles’ heel for most Christians. I think not giving up praying is something we all struggle to do. We make our requests known to God, and if we don’t get it by noon, it’s over. We give up and don’t pray anymore.

The most incredible aspect of Abraham’s prayer is not his persistence but God’s encouragement to him to persist, to focus on Him. God’s graciousness and love, His care to hear from Abraham, astounds me. Moreover, in the Middle Eastern culture, then and today, it was not the custom to approach someone in authority, someone who has importance and power, and make a huge request, asking for everything you want. You start by asking for something small, and then if the individual says yes, you’re emboldened to ask for more. That’s what’s happening with Abraham and God in this passage.

Abraham was conscious of the fact that he was the creature speaking to the Creator, so he first determined if the God of all power and might was amenable to answering his prayer. That’s why he asked the Lord if He would spare the cities for the sake of 50 righteous people. He started there and then decreased the number of righteous bit by bit. Abraham was awed that Almighty God was not only listening to him but willing to answer his request. Unlike Christianity today, Abraham did not treat God as a bellhop catering to his every whim.

Abraham’s persistent prayer reminds me of a story about D. L. Moody, the great evangelist. He was renowned for boldness in asking for financial support for his ministry, and he had a very wealthy friend, the founder of Quaker Oats. Again and again Moody would ask him to support the ministry. He kept going back to him. Finally, his friend observed, “Now, Mr. Moody, you have a lot of other friends. Why do you keep coming back to me?” Moody replied, “Sir, you are a farm boy like me. Have you ever taken your pail to a dry cow?”

So it is with God. Six times Abraham pressed on in prayer, and every time he experienced God’s grace and was emboldened to ask for more. Never once did God say, “Abraham, I’m tired of you. You’re asking too much.” God was encouraging Abraham to ask, and He wants you to ask with persistence, trusting in His love and power.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to give up praying for my family, my neighbors, my city, my country. I ask that Your Spirit would move in our midst to draw lost souls to You and encourage Your people in trials to remember Your promises and stand firm. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?’” (Genesis 18:32).

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