Remember how God told Abraham about His plan for Sodom and Gomorrah before it happened? “And the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing …'” (Genesis 18:17) Why did He do that?

Basically, God counted Abraham as His friend and He was inviting Abraham to negotiate regarding the judgment that was planned. Abraham was a willing partner in this and began immediately to entreat the Lord; “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” By his intercession on behalf of those cities, he got God to agree not to destroy them if as few as ten righteous people could be found in them.

Might God invite YOU to negotiate for something too? Yes, the Lord does it all the time. He often reveals His plans to His people thereby inviting them to pray and intercede for what is on His own heart. Have you had it happen to you? Did you ever have someone just pop into your head? Maybe it is someone you haven’t seen or thought about in a long time. Suddenly, there they are. Often you can’t seem to stop thinking about them. If this happens, pray. God is giving you a burden because that person needs prayer.

Once I had a strong burden for a man I didn’t know but who was a hostage for many years by a terrorist group. I cut his picture out of the paper and prayed for over four years until he was finally released. God allowed me to be part of His plan for this man’s life though I imagine He had others praying also.

Are you one who is willing to pray for what God puts on your heart? He has much to say — between friends.