Lingering Loved Ones

Genesis 19:16 " And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city."

My children’s salvation is something I am passionate about. I love this verse because while they, even Lot, lingered, while they hesitated to leave Sodom, the angel laid hold on their hands and brought them from the city. 

In Strong's Concordance the phrase "laid hold" means to seize tight hold of.  In HELPS Word-studies it says to "take hold of exactly, with decisive initiative".

Stop and think with me on this.  None of this would have happened without Abraham interceding for his family. What a powerful encouragement for those of us praying for our unsaved loved ones.  If it seems the children or family member you are praying for are lingering in their own path, ask the Lord, that He, being merciful, would seize them, would take hold of them. That He would rescue them from where they think they want to be.  I am sure Lot's wife and family were looking around at the destruction that had started and they were still seeing what they wanted to see, unaware of the price that was about to be paid in those two cities.  They needed a firm hand to lead them away. They needed someone praying on their behalf.

I can't help but think maybe some heels were dug in the ground in the process.  BUT If Abraham hadn't interceded, if WE don't intercede , who will? 

Follow along on one more thought.  Consider that us praying for our children is to 'take hold of exactly, with decisive initiative', the spiritual realm in their lives.  I believe in praying specifically.  I ask the Lord to open the eyes of my children that they can see the emptiness of the path they are walking without Him. I ask so often that He will stir a deep, deep hunger in their spirit that can only be filled with Jesus.  I ask Him to give them wisdom, to help them see all the things to be thankful for, to see their need of Him in their lives.  Call out their names before the Father each and everyday, don't lose hope, persist in prayer and watch for the hand of the Lord in their lives.

"Father, draw our children to You. Stir up their spirit man and where they are lingering,  take hold of their hands and bring them forth from the ‘city’. Open their eyes to see the emptiness of life without You. Amen."