Last week we finished our 25-week series on Living a Transformed Life, but our study of the application and topic is hardly over. Indeed, this week and in coming weeks, we will continue to build on all that we have learned throughout the year - for in 25 weeks we only scratched the surface. We could have spent 25 weeks on each area of transformation. When it comes to the Holy Spirit’s work in dealing with our brokenness toward God, ourselves, others, and the world - 25 weeks is quite meager. The Scriptures are filled with incidents and instruction that bring to light the height and length, breadth and depth of God’s healing love for His own.
This week we turn to the topic of prayer in a message entitled “Why Pray?” The text we’ll examine together is one that was passed over in our year-long series on the Book of Genesis entitled Themes from Genesis (2003). The text is Genesis 18:16-33 and the companion text is John 14:8-14. The context is important.
Abraham has just been visited by God by the trees of Mamre. He’s one hundred-years-old. He’s recently been circumcised. He’s been the recipient of God’s last will and testament in Chapter 15. There the Lord of Glory proves to Abraham in no uncertain terms that should any of His promises fail, He will slay Himself. And now, here on the plain of Hebron, at the great oaks of Mamre, the Lord appears to Abraham in three persons. (It’s called a theophony.)
We’re not told at what stage of the visit Abraham realizes that he’s entertaining the Lord Himself in human form. If he recognized the identity of his visitors early in the encounter, then his bowing down, his solicitous care, and his warm welcome were most appropriate. On the other hand, if he acted so courteously and generously to total strangers he not only “unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2); but he also discovered firsthand the truth that what is done generously to one of the Lord’s people is done to the Lord Himself (Matthew 25:40). His hospitality extended to a fine meal and a deep conversation (initiated by God) that concerned Abraham’s deepest relationships – wife and son. Here at this “table” the Lord articulates one of the greatest fundamentals in all of the universe – “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Abraham would come to see that the answer to that question is “NO, NO, a thousand times NO!”
And it’s also here at the conclusion of this meal that we find the Lord revealing something else about Himself. As the Lord is ready to take His leave of Abraham, the ever courteous patriarch walks with Him. The Bible says that as they look over the plains toward Sodom the Lord says, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” It’s not a rhetorical question. As is the case with nearly every question God asks in Scripture, it is answered. God Himself answers it. The answer is “no,” because God has a plan and purpose for Abraham and his people.
You see, what God is doing here is initiating prayer. He’s initiating the first recorded prayer in Scripture to reveal more of Himself to His friend. Prayer at its core is a communicative relationship between God and His people. And it’s about the nature of communication that we will be concerned this Sunday.
In preparation for Sunday you may wish to consider the following:
1. What is the first mention of prayer in Scripture?
2. What does Jesus say to the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar (John 4) that helps us know why God initiates prayer?
3. What is different about Abraham’s prayer in Chapter 18 from his prayer in Genesis 15?
4. What is God intimating in his question in verse 17?
5. How important is the object of Abraham’s prayer in Chapter 18 in telling us about God’s agenda?
6. What is Abraham’s view of himself as he prays?
7. What is the foundation of Abraham’s boldness here?
8. What is Abraham learning here about God and His “corporate orientation?”
9. Why doesn’t Abraham get down to one righteous person in his pleading?
10. Why pray if God knows what He’s going to do? What purpose does prayer serve in the transformed life?
