Pleading for Others

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Who likes a selfish person? On the other hand, we are naturally drawn toward someone who is unselfish. There is something more than being unselfish and that is to have a real love for others that will earnestly plead with God For them.
Abraham was like that in connection with his nephew Lot and any others living in the path of the coming judgment. Six times he prayed to the Lord for them. His prayer was for the righteous. In 2 Peter 2:88(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (2 Peter 2:8) Lot is called a "righteous man" although where he lived "vexed his righteous soul from day to day" and the Lord was preparing to take him out of it. Abraham's prayers were effectual. Do you pray to God for deliverance for others from coming judgment?
David also pled for the people when judgment was coming. "Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." 1 Chron. 21:11And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1). In verse 17, "David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let Thine hand, I pray Thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on Thy people, that they should be plagued." Surely in David this is much more than unselfishness. It is a love that pleads to God for others.
Solomon also had the interests of others upon his heart when he asked the Lord for an "understanding heart to judge Thy people." 1 Kings 3:99Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? (1 Kings 3:9). Then in 1 Kings 3:1010And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. (1 Kings 3:10) it says, "the speech pleased the Lord." We, too, can be sure that if we pray to the Lord our God for others, He is pleased. Ed.