Quitting Too Soon?

In Genesis chapter 18 we have an account of a visit God made to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre. That's the day that Abraham was told that a year later he and his wife Sarah would have a son, despite the fact that they were well past the age of childbearing. As the visit was ending, God told Abraham that he was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.

There is an interesting dialogue that takes place between Abraham and God beginning in verse 22. Abraham calls on God's righteousness, suggesting that he wouldn't wipe out the silly survey found 50 righteous people within them. God agrees that he will not destroy cities for the sake of 50 righteous. Abraham then asks if he would spare them if they found 45 people who were righteous. God says of his 45 righteous that the cities would not be destroyed. Abraham then appeals to God not to destroy the cities if 40 righteous were found. God agreed. Abraham proceeded, asking that the cities be spared if only 30 righteous were found. Again God agrees. Abraham persists. This time asking that if 20 righteous were found that the cities be spared. And God agreed.

Abraham comes to the end of his admonition and says to God, "Oh let not the Lord be angry and I will speak again but this once. Suppose 10 are found there." And God consents to this request as well, saying "For the sake of 10 I will not destroy it."

The question I want to ask here is "Did Abraham quit praying before God quit answering?"

Daily Devotional Time

The battle to remain faithful to God is difficult. Satan wants to utterly destroy each one of us, and his schemes are extremely crafty. The only way to gain strength and competency for the fight is in personal devotional time each day. A disciple is a learning follower, thus Bible study is imperative.

Scripture reading should be incorporated into our daily routine to allow God's word to equip us for all good works. Fervent prayer is also needed in our daily quiet time. There's nothing we cannot accomplish through diligent, faithful prayer.

Personal devotional time in the form of Bible study and prayer will strengthen our relationship with God and allow us to be victorious in our struggles with Prince of Darkness.

2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved of the God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

New Prayer Corner Blog!

I recently posted a piece about the prayer walk several of us took on New Year’s Day. I posted the same item on my blog at Blogevolve.com. That is a community blog site that has a comfortable feel, small town feel.


One of the comments I received from the post was that perhaps I should begin a prayer ministry in that blog village. After giving it some thought, I decided to give that a try, but not on my FFF blog there. So I started a new blog on the site called Prayer Corner . I made an offer to post prayers in response to requests I might receive. The reaction has been cordial, and a few requests have been made. I figured it would not hurt to make the site known to those who might read my blog here.


The downside to the situation is that in order to post a request there, you would have to be signed up on the site. So I set up a new email account for someone that might want to have a prayer offered, whether posted on the site, or offered in private. That email address is prayercorner@ymail.com.

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Prayer Walk

A number of us from the congregation where I worship live in the same general neighborhood in which my family lives. That represents 15 households. One of the members in that neighborhood invited all those families to open the New Year with a prayer walk. On the evening of the 1st of January, those who were in town met at our home at 6:30. WE read some Scriptures that had been selected and then a prayer was offered for that home and for an element of the ministers at our congregation.

From there we walked to the nearest home of the 15 we would visit for prayer. Again we read from the Bible and prayed for that home and for another element of our congregation. We continued the pattern, walking, reading, praying for the home and an segment of the congregation or community till the circuit was completed. Some very sweet thoughts were offered up by those that led the prayers.

It always amazes me how special times of prayer bring blessing and a peace of mind. It was a good way for fellow Christians and neighbors to start a New Year.

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Sharpening the Focus

Three weeks ago, in study for a pair of lessons I was to present I was to present from the sixth chapter of Mark, about Jesus miraculously feeding more than 5000 people and about his walking on the water, I was reminded of Jesus’ need for time alone for personal renewal. He spent the time in prayer. If He needed inner peace in order to be able to minister effectively, how much more do I?


I thought of how busy my wife and I had been for several months and how weary we have become. I got up from my study and called my wife at her job. I told her of my study and that I did not know where we would go to get away, but I invited her to take off the 18th through 20th. I asked her to begin making a prayer list so we could spend at least half a day in prayer. We had not done that in a long time. She was delighted.


We found a place in Hill Country of Central Texas that seemed to offer the quiet we were seeking. It was even called Lost Pines. Our balcony overlooked a garden called "Butterfly Meadow". We accomplished our aims, spending most of the day on Tuesday pouring out our hearts to God. We are back at the grindstone, feeling a bit shaper!

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