The Coolidge examiner., 1937-05-06
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Improved n CTTNDAV
Uniform oo-0-
-:-LESSON = =
BY REV. HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST,
Dean of the Moody Bible Institute
of Chicago.
@ Western Newspaper Union.
Lesson for fAay 9
ABRAHAM A MAN OF PRAYER

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 18:17-32
| GOLDEN TEXT-The effectual fer
vent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much. James SIG
PRIMARY TOPIC-Abraham Praying
| for His Neighbors.
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Great Mans
Prayer.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP.
IC-Praying for Others.
| YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
| IC-The Ministry of Intercession.
Prayer-hoW many are the books
that have been written on that SUBJ
ject and the sermons preached, and
yet how little it is actually prac-
ticed. One can attract an audience
to hear it discussed, but only a
handful will come to pray. We as
Christians agree that it is Gods ap-
pointed way Of blessing. We put up
notices such as Prayer changes
things" or More things are
wrought by prayer than this world
dreams Of" and then (may God
forgive usD we try to change
| things ourselves: We struggle with
problems when we ought to pray.
The lesson of today, from the life
of that great hero Of faith, Abra-
ham, stresses the importance of in
tercessory prayer, that is. the CIV
ing Of ourselves to pray for the
temporal and spiritual welfare OF
others. In an age characterized
by grasping spirit of acquisition
for personal advantage it is like
breath from heaven to read Of
this mans prayer for others.
1t is suggested that the passage
be made the basis for a topical
study, drawing from the various
portions of the text the illustration
of each truth.
I. The Nature of Intercessory
Prayer.
l. 1t is a Privilege. Abraham
had been honored by a visit from
God. The covenant had been re-
neWed, a son had been promised.
The three visitors looked out toward
Sodom. God who had thus appeared
to Abraham in visible form and had
shared the hospitality of his home
now extends to him the privilege of
sharing in Gods purpose. How
glorious to be on such terms Of con-
fidence with God, to know him and
to know his will and purpose!
2. 1t is a Responsibility. "Abra-
ham stood yet before the Lord
why? To pray for Sodom and
Gomorrah. Privilege and response
bility go together. Those who have
audience with the King of kings
are there to carry the blessed bur-
den of prayer for others. Are we
praying for our children, our fami-
lies, our church, our nation? II
not, who will pray?
3. 1t is Objective, not Subjective.
Some modern religious" leaders
would devitalize prayer by making
it sort of spiritual exercise which
has only the value of developing
our own soul. The prayer room is
to them a sort of spiritual gym
nasium where the soul develops its
strength and a spiritual sense of
well-being floods the soul.
Undoubtedly the very fellowship
with God which is inherent in prayer
is spiritually beneficial, but prayer
actually deals with such things as
cities, men, sin, sorrow. 1t con-
Germs mems physical well-being,
their material prosperity, as well
as their spiritual welfare. 1t is the
means designated by God for the
release of his power on behalf
of the object for which we pray.
III. characteristics of Intercessory
Prayer.
/. Unselfsh. Abraham already
had his promise and his blessing.
The cities of the plain were wicked,
yet he prayed for them. Those
who know the spirit of God are not
selfish in prayer.
2. Courageous. Note the rever-
ent boldness with which Abraham
pleaded the cause of the condemned
cities. The Bible reveals that God
honored men who had holy cour-
age. History tells the same story.
We celebrate this year the centen-
ary of one who prayed boldly-and
believed, and labored-Dwight l..
Moody.
3. Persistent. No one likes quit
ter" Christ spoke of man who
was heard for his importantly
duke 11:8). See also Luke 1918.
Some one has said that when we
pray we are all too often like the
mischievous boy who rings the door
bell and runs away without waiting
for an answer.
III. Results of IntercessOry
Prayer.
The cities were destroyed, but the
righteous were saved. God hears
and answers prayer. This is the
testimony of His Word, of count
less Christian men and women OF
all ages, yes, of the men and women
of our day. We know by experience
that it is true-'T cried; he an
swered." He says to you and to
me. Call unto Me and l will an