July 28, 2019 Text: Genesis 18:20-33
Dear Friends in Christ,
Have you ever had someone say to you, “You can’t talk to her like that?” “You shouldn’t speak to him in that tone of voice?” Maybe it was a parent admonishing you. Perhaps a spouse who intervened. Maybe a basketball official or baseball umpire who didn’t like your questioning of a call. We all have probably spoken when others around us thought we shouldn’t.
Do you think the men traveling with Abraham thought the same thing? “You can’t talk to God like that. Who does this Abraham think he is? Man, we are in trouble now?” But that doesn’t really describe Abraham at all. He says of himself, “I who am but dust and ashes.” (v. 27b) So, then where does he come off talking to the Lord like that? Abraham believed and understood what God wants us to understand today. That is . . .
“THE PRIVILEGE OF PLEADING PRAYER”
Prayer is first of all a gift. One that we can misuse. We might ask for something that is not taught in Scripture or is not loving toward others. An A on an exam (though I didn’t study), permission to stay out late (though I know it’s not safe) a date with ______ (though her boyfriend won’t like that.) We might ask for a new job (though my wife thinks it will cut down on family time), for the kids to move closer to home (though that is really what I want.)
The Lord is often treated like those newfangled soda machines where you can pretty much get what you want in any combination. We make the choices – not Him. “You better do what I want God, or I’m done with you.”
We also misuse this gift if we never approach Him. Too cocky in our own abilities. Too many things to do. We might believe God doesn’t want to hear from us. “I don’t really deserve God’s help because look at how I have messed up my life.”
None of these is how Abraham understood the Lord’s invitation to pray. He knows he has no claim on God; he is just dust and ashes. He’s not dictating. He’s pleading. He is not afraid to pray and ask for more, more, more. How can a dust and ashes human being push Almighty God and not be reprimanded by God? Because Abraham knew this: the prayer line is open because of God’s mercy in Jesus.
The Lord initiated this conversation. He had told Abraham earlier that his descendants would be blessed. The Messiah would come from his family tree. Christ would bless all nations by reconciling the world to God. He would bring us back into a right relationship with our heavenly Father.
And get this. Abraham is talking to none other than Jesus, long before He became flesh and blood Jesus of Nazareth. The Lord himself invites Abraham to pray. God himself invites us to pray because of Jesus.
How would you answer this: “Does God always answer prayer?” Most astute believers answer, “Yes, no, and wait.” But did you notice I just said “prayer,” I didn’t say “Christian prayer.” A Christian prays a certain way.
We pray through Jesus. We are privileged to go to the Father through the Son. We can do this because Jesus’ death on the cross took away the sin that separated us from God. Sin nailed to the cross and we are back together with the Father. We are his children who bring Him our requests. We plead for mercy in “Jesus’ name” because merciful Jesus makes our prayers acceptable to God.
Look at the mercy shown Abraham. Why did he care so much for that moral cesspool of Sodom? Abraham wanted to save his nephew Lot who lived there. Six straight times – count ‘em – God says yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. In the bigger picture God had already answered even more wonderfully back in v. 19: “that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”
This is our promise. Don’t we also pray for family and personal concerns? The Lord says yes when He showers mercy on our prayers. Loved ones kept safe in travel. Family comforted in loss. Friends finding answers in their marriage. Our children kept in the one, true faith. God allows us to address Him in the faith He has given us in Baptism and which He strengthens at the Altar of the Lord in His Word and Holy Supper. As fragile, pleading human beings His grace is more than sufficient for our needs. The faith He creates in us trusts that His mercy always gives us the best.
Does prayer change things? Sometimes we may see this statement as manipulating God. It isn’t . . . you realize? The truth is closer to this: “Prayer changes things; namely, the person praying.”
“You can’t talk to God like that!” Well . . . yes we can. We can confidently stand before the all-knowing and all-powerful Lord knowing that prayer is a privilege, a gift that God gives us through His Son Jesus. So be bold, be consistent, lean on His mercy as you exercise The Privilege of Pleading Prayer.
Amen.