God can reach those who seem too far gone

¹⁵ With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”

¹⁶ When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. Genesis 19:18-19 NIV

I was talking with a friend the other day and he shared with me an insight in praying for his children that brought some encouragement.  He said I was reading the story of Lot.  Abraham had prayed for God to spare the city if he could find at least 10 righteous people.  Only Lot’s family of 4 were found. 

Two men, angels, showed up to save Lot and his family.

Lot was righteous but greatly influenced by his culture.  When the men wanted to sexually harass the angels, Lot offered his daughters instead.  This did not happen, because the angels protected his family.  The next morning, the angels told Lot to flee, but the Bible records that Lot hesitated.  Why?  He was too influenced by his culture.  What happened next?  The angels had to grab them by the hand and take them to safety.  Why?  The Bible says because God was merciful.

Prayer points for the Lost.

1.    Sometimes those we are praying for are too far into our culture for us to reach them.  And they may have trouble doing the right thing to set themselves free.

2.   God is merciful even when someone is hesitating.  God can still show mercy to you loved one when it doesn’t look like they are taking the right steps toward freedom.

3.   Sometimes God may have to send someone or some experience that helps take them by the hand to freedom.  Don’t limit how God desires to do this.  But believe that your prayers for you children or loved ones are making an impact on God’s mercy.  He can deliver those who seem too far gone.

4.   Repeat often to God.  “Lord, you were merciful to Lot and his family.  You sent angels that had to help him move toward freedom.  Will you send help like this to my “loved one”?  Will you show your mercy once again that is in desperate need and they don’t even realize it?  Thank you for hearing my prayers.”