Powerful Prayer
Last year, in addition to my own mother's passing, I had three friends tragically lose their husbands, one friend lost her mother, a couple of friends were diagnosed with cancer, and at least two friends have extremely rare illnesses and had surgeries and/or other miserable treatments. Obviously, there were many other friends who had other hardships as well: depression and anxiety, financial struggles, hard parenting situations, abuse, marriage struggles, health issues, and so on. I wasn't the only one who had a rough year. I have felt pretty helpless. I love these people and it pains me to see them go through such hard things. Sure, I brought meals and helped move and sent notes of love and support. I pray for these friends, but always wish there was more I could do. As if prayer is a minor thing.
On Sunday, our lesson in Sunday School was on Abraham and Lot. We talked about Abraham and Lot separating. We talked about Lot ending up in the city of Sodom. We talked about the angels coming and saving him and his family. We talked about Lot's poor wife. Pretty much the same as every lesson on Abraham and Lot, right? And then, in passing, the teacher said, "And Lot was saved because of Abraham..." He went on with the lesson, but I didn't. I stayed there in that thought. Lot was saved because of Abraham.
Lot, according to the New Testament, was a pretty good guy. That helped the situation, for sure. But when Abraham prayed for the city, he begged that God would spare the city if 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, or 10 righteous people could be found there. Apparently, God could find only one (See 2 Peter 2:7-8). He did not spare the city for Lot's sake, but did deliver Lot from destruction. Because He remembered Abraham's prayers.
How much power do we actually have in the lives of those we love? Apparently more than we think. Obviously, we all have our agency, and obviously, sometimes we will get "no" answers. But, as I consistently pray for friends and family, I can know that the Lord will work in their behalf.
There's one more piece that struck me. A few years ago, I felt prompted to study deliverance. As I did, I learned that there is a direct connection between deliverance and covenants. We don't know much about Lot. But we do know much about Abraham. We know that he was a covenant-maker and a covenant-keeper. Because of that, he was "delivered" many times. I have to assume that his covenant-keeping also played a role in Lot's deliverance. When we make and keep covenants, we can go before the Lord in confidence. This does not mean we will always get the very thing we ask for. It does mean that we can know that we have been heard and the He will bless us in the way that is right. Please don't misunderstand. I believe, with my whole heart, that He hears every single prayer, regardless of the pray-er's righteousness. I also believe that he answers every single prayer. (Not always how we hope He will, though.)
The Book of Mormon tells about a group of people who became very wicked. They were warned by a prophet to repent, but most refused. Here is what the Lord said about it:
Contrast that with another group, who were righteous and went before Him in confidence, who were
So, if I keep the commandments and make and keep covenants, I can go before the Lord in mighty prayer for myself, my family, and my friends with confidence that He will hear me and answer.
I had been beginning to feel like my prayers were a small thing. Maybe not even worth counting. But, since I saw what Abraham's prayers did for Lot, I have prayed more for others. I have prayed more specifically. I have prayed mightily. And I am confident that I have been heard and that I have power to be a force for good through my prayers, and, when possible, my actions. Praying for others is no small service. Just ask Lot.
On Sunday, our lesson in Sunday School was on Abraham and Lot. We talked about Abraham and Lot separating. We talked about Lot ending up in the city of Sodom. We talked about the angels coming and saving him and his family. We talked about Lot's poor wife. Pretty much the same as every lesson on Abraham and Lot, right? And then, in passing, the teacher said, "And Lot was saved because of Abraham..." He went on with the lesson, but I didn't. I stayed there in that thought. Lot was saved because of Abraham.
"And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt." Genesis 19:29
Lot, according to the New Testament, was a pretty good guy. That helped the situation, for sure. But when Abraham prayed for the city, he begged that God would spare the city if 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, or 10 righteous people could be found there. Apparently, God could find only one (See 2 Peter 2:7-8). He did not spare the city for Lot's sake, but did deliver Lot from destruction. Because He remembered Abraham's prayers.
How much power do we actually have in the lives of those we love? Apparently more than we think. Obviously, we all have our agency, and obviously, sometimes we will get "no" answers. But, as I consistently pray for friends and family, I can know that the Lord will work in their behalf.
There's one more piece that struck me. A few years ago, I felt prompted to study deliverance. As I did, I learned that there is a direct connection between deliverance and covenants. We don't know much about Lot. But we do know much about Abraham. We know that he was a covenant-maker and a covenant-keeper. Because of that, he was "delivered" many times. I have to assume that his covenant-keeping also played a role in Lot's deliverance. When we make and keep covenants, we can go before the Lord in confidence. This does not mean we will always get the very thing we ask for. It does mean that we can know that we have been heard and the He will bless us in the way that is right. Please don't misunderstand. I believe, with my whole heart, that He hears every single prayer, regardless of the pray-er's righteousness. I also believe that he answers every single prayer. (Not always how we hope He will, though.)
The Book of Mormon tells about a group of people who became very wicked. They were warned by a prophet to repent, but most refused. Here is what the Lord said about it:
"And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God.
Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear their cries..." Mosiah 11:23-24 (italics added)
Contrast that with another group, who were righteous and went before Him in confidence, who were
"strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them..." Alma 2:28 (italics added)
So, if I keep the commandments and make and keep covenants, I can go before the Lord in mighty prayer for myself, my family, and my friends with confidence that He will hear me and answer.
I had been beginning to feel like my prayers were a small thing. Maybe not even worth counting. But, since I saw what Abraham's prayers did for Lot, I have prayed more for others. I have prayed more specifically. I have prayed mightily. And I am confident that I have been heard and that I have power to be a force for good through my prayers, and, when possible, my actions. Praying for others is no small service. Just ask Lot.
You are amazing! Thank you! <3
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