One of the most powerful moments in Abraham’s life wasn’t when he built an altar or rescued Lot — it was when he prayed. Not for himself, but for a city full of sinners.
Genesis 18:23-33 says,
“And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?… And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.”
Abraham knew judgment was coming for Sodom. The sin in that city was great, and God had every right to deal with it. But Abraham didn’t sit back. He stepped in and prayed — over and over again — that God would have mercy. He started at fifty and worked his way down to ten. His heart was broken for the people who were about to face destruction.
That’s what intercession looks like — standing between God’s wrath and someone else’s need, asking for grace on their behalf.
As Christians, we’re called to do the same.
1 Timothy 2:1 says,
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”
It’s easy to complain about the world. It’s easy to give up on people who are lost in sin. But God doesn’t call us to give up — He calls us to prayer, just like Jesus did for us when we were lost.
Jesus is the ultimate Intercessor.
Hebrews 7:25 says,
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
Even now, Jesus continues to intercede for us. He pleads for mercy. He lifts up our names before the Father. And when we pray for others, we are following His example.
There’s someone you know who’s lost — maybe a family member, a friend, or someone who’s hurt you. Don’t write them off. Plead for them. Cry out to God on their behalf. Ask for mercy. That’s what Abraham did. He didn’t just say, “They’re getting what they deserve.” He said, “Lord, if there are even ten righteous, would You spare them?”
Even though Sodom didn’t change, Abraham’s prayer still mattered. It showed God’s heart and shaped Abraham’s. And it may have been what allowed Lot and his family to escape.
