God's Word and Prayer in the Life of Father Abraham

“Because God says that Abraham will pray for the king [Abimelech] [Genesis 20:7], you see how beautifully Scripture is everywhere in agreement; for everywhere it places the Spirit of grace and of supplication side by side. Thus Abraham is a prophet in order that he may teach the knowledge of God in the world. At the same time he is a priest in order that he may pray not only for himself but for his church, yes, even for the Gentiles who associate themselves with it. For God says: ‘He will pray for you.’ With this statement He calls the king and his people to the church of Abraham, and the Gentile, like a wild olive tree, partakes of the rich sap of the olive tree and is grafted on it (Rom. 11:17). Abraham, however, is thus praised by God as a very great teacher and as one who prays or petitions with very great power.

“But you will ask: ‘Why does not God do such things without Abraham? What need is there for such a long address?’ My answer is: ‘God honors the man who honors Him; and because Abraham confesses God, God, in turn, confesses him, honors him with a most noble testimony, and places under him the king and the entire kingdom, in order that they may become his pupils.’

“Concerning prayer we have stated rather often that even though God is ready to give us everything we need, He has made it necessary for us to pray, in accordance with the statement (John 16:24): ‘Ask, and you will receive.’ But we should pray not only for our own sakes but also to offer to God the worship that is due Him. For he who prays confesses that God is gracious, merciful, and forgiving. Therefore just as the Word must always be taught and emphasized in the church, so prayer must always be practiced, in order that grace may abound, that the incipient gifts may grow in us, and that the glory of God may be increased everywhere” (Luther’s Lectures on Genesis 20:6,7, Luther’s Works AE 3, pages 338-339).