Chapter 17-18. God speaks to Abram and changes his name to Abraham, and Sarai to Sarah. God makes the covenant to give them a family who will be many nations, promises land that they didn’t know, and to be their God. God also promised them a child named Isaac who the covenant would continue through. One thing that sticks out in these chapters is the relationship between God and Abraham. When the covenant was made, they entered into a relationship initiated by God. When we received salvation through Jesus we also entered into a relationship initiated by Him. He promises to bring us to a place where we were strangers and promises to be our Lord. We in turn are His forever.
In this relationship God treated him with respect and love. Abraham spoke or in other words prayed, on behalf of others and God heard without dismissing him. Abraham prayed for Ishmael. Even though he was the child born not by God’s plan, Abraham prayed for him and God assured him of Ishmael’s blessings. They spoke of Sarah and their desires for her. God assured Abraham and blesses her with the promise of a child. Last we see Abraham praying for Sodom. The people in Sodom were living in sin. The Lord was going to deal with them, but Abraham appealed to Him on their behalf to be spared for the sake of the righteous.
Regardless of their spiritual condition or position with God, Abraham prayed for his child, wife, and strangers. Encouraging it is to know that you who walk in a relationship with God, you have the same place of communication with the Lord. When you pray, God hears and responds according to His sovereign will. So pray without ceasing and pray in confidence for your family and others knowing that He hears!
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
James 5:16