Exodus 32:9–11
Moses’ intercession for the Israelites in Numbers chapter 14 wasn’t an isolated incident. His prayers actually saved them from destruction a number of times.
Right after they came out of Egypt, for instance, Moses was on the mountain receiving the commandments and the people built a golden calf to worship. God was so angry with them about it that before Moses could even pray, He said, “Let me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them…” (Exodus 32:10).
But Moses wouldn’t let God alone.
He interceded for his nation. He cried out to God for mercy on their behalf, and as a result, “The Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people” (v. 14).
We see the same principle at work in Genesis chapter 18. There, God was about to pour out judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. Because Abraham was His friend, God told him what He planned to do and Abraham interceded for those cities. He asked God repeatedly to spare them for the sake of the righteous who lived there and the Lord granted his every request.
In response to Abraham’s prayers, God sent angels to escort his family out of Sodom and Gomorrah before judgment fell there. And though the cities were destroyed, we can see from reading the account that it wasn’t because God said no to Abraham. It was because Abraham stopped asking too soon.
My, what mercies could be released in the nations if we were more diligent to follow the example of these heroes of faith! How destinies could be changed if we stood in the gap for people like Moses and Abraham did. What judgments could be averted if we simply refused to let God alone.
Scripture Reading: Genesis 32:1–14
Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
Excerpt permission granted by Lynne Hammond Ministries
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”