Genesis 20:17-18 NLT, ‘Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children. For the LORD had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah.’
Look at what was going on behind the scenes! Sarah must have been in this harem for a little while, because it is recorded that a lot happened during her stay. There was no chance for Abimelech to impregnate Sarah or anybody else because God made him impotent. The King James tells us that all the wombs of the household were closed, so all the females who were pregnant miscarried, and the rest could no longer conceive. There would be no doubt that Sarah and Abimelech never hooked up. That is important. God made sure no one would question that Abraham was the father of the child Sarah was soon to bear.
In Genesis 20:7, God told Abimelech to return Sarah to her husband and Abraham would pray for him because he was a prophet. In verse 17, Abraham prayed to God on behalf of Abimelech and his household.
Lessons learned from praying for your enemy
First, God told Abraham to pray for Abimelech. Out of obedience, he asked God to bless Abimelech and his household and remove any curse brought on by sin. Abraham placed God’s desires over his own by keeping Him first place in His life.
Praying for his enemy kept Abraham’s heart free of bitterness. Bitterness will keep someone captive to sin (Acts 8:23, Ephesians 4:31).
God wants to reach your enemy and gain access into their lives so they will turn to Him. God loves all people and he wants His children to share His love for all people.
Abraham learned that praying for his enemy allowed God’s blessings and favor to continue to flow in his own life and in the lives of his descendants. God’s blessings continue from generation to generation.
Our Father loves all people. Look at what was happening behind the scenes. God knows how to direct people and circumstances so that your destiny will not be stolen from you (Be On Guard). Pray for your enemy and bless them. Allow God to take care of all the details. He will ensure you fulfill your purpose in life.
Romans 8:28 NLT, ‘And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.’
Romans 8:31 NLT, ‘What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?’
This completes our series, Live and Learn. We hope it was a blessing to you. Beginning Tuesday, November 7th, we will begin our study on Genesis 21.
Pray It:
Father, I will do things Your way. I will pray for my enemy and ask You to bless them. I do this out of obedience to You and to keep you first place in my life. I want to reach my enemy to give them the opportunity to see Your mercy and turn their eyes towards You. I want Your favor and blessings to continue to flow in my life and in the lives of my descendants. I love You. Have Your way with me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Say It:
I obey God and pray for my enemies.
I keep God first place in my life.
I want God to touch my enemy and know His Son, Jesus.
I want God’s blessings and favor to continue to flow in my life and in the lives of my descendants.
Do It:
Pray for your enemy, we all have at least one. Pray blessings into their lives that you want to see in your own life. Put a smile on God’s face.
In Genesis 20:7, God told Abimelech to return Sarah to her husband and Abraham would pray for him because he was a prophet. In verse 17, Abraham prayed to God on behalf of Abimelech and his household.
Lessons learned from praying for your enemy
First, God told Abraham to pray for Abimelech. Out of obedience, he asked God to bless Abimelech and his household and remove any curse brought on by sin. Abraham placed God’s desires over his own by keeping Him first place in His life.
Praying for his enemy kept Abraham’s heart free of bitterness. Bitterness will keep someone captive to sin (Acts 8:23, Ephesians 4:31).
God wants to reach your enemy and gain access into their lives so they will turn to Him. God loves all people and he wants His children to share His love for all people.
Abraham learned that praying for his enemy allowed God’s blessings and favor to continue to flow in his own life and in the lives of his descendants. God’s blessings continue from generation to generation.
Our Father loves all people. Look at what was happening behind the scenes. God knows how to direct people and circumstances so that your destiny will not be stolen from you (Be On Guard). Pray for your enemy and bless them. Allow God to take care of all the details. He will ensure you fulfill your purpose in life.
Romans 8:28 NLT, ‘And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.’
Romans 8:31 NLT, ‘What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?’
This completes our series, Live and Learn. We hope it was a blessing to you. Beginning Tuesday, November 7th, we will begin our study on Genesis 21.
Pray It:
Father, I will do things Your way. I will pray for my enemy and ask You to bless them. I do this out of obedience to You and to keep you first place in my life. I want to reach my enemy to give them the opportunity to see Your mercy and turn their eyes towards You. I want Your favor and blessings to continue to flow in my life and in the lives of my descendants. I love You. Have Your way with me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Say It:
I obey God and pray for my enemies.
I keep God first place in my life.
I want God to touch my enemy and know His Son, Jesus.
I want God’s blessings and favor to continue to flow in my life and in the lives of my descendants.
Do It:
Pray for your enemy, we all have at least one. Pray blessings into their lives that you want to see in your own life. Put a smile on God’s face.
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