As Abraham came before God to pray for Sodom and Gomorrah, a number of things are can be seen, things which should affect our prayers.

To start with, Abraham is prompted by God. God let’s Abraham know what will happen to the cities on the plain, that for their sins he will destroy them, and lays it on Abraham’s heart to plead for them. We should be careful that our own prayers are prompted by God.

Abraham’s prayer is specific, he does not speak in general terms. He addresses God about the righteous and the wicked. He knows the mind of God, knowing that God is righteous and knowing that appeals to God to spare the righteous. We should seek to know the mind of God, to know his will , through his word, that we might be specific in our prayers.

He also perseveres. This is not to say he is presumptious in asking what he wants, but that humbly persists, seeking God’s will. We should earnestly pray to God, seeking his will and persevering humbly.

The walls of Jerusalem are finally reconstructed in Nehemiah 3, showing us God’s way of doing things and setting us a model for the building of the church.

It should involve everybody who is capable and available. People have different gifts and talents, and not everyone can do everything. If anything, everything should be shared, rather than done by a few.

Just as those working on the walls of Jerusalem were from all walks of life, their common effort was to rebuild the wall. There are jobs in the church which should be carried out by all Christians. We are all called to share the Gospel with others, both in word and deed.

This is not below any of us. We are not to be like the nobles of Tekoa who left it all to the men of their town. If anything the men are to be commended for going the extra mile and doing more than was expected of them, whilst their leaders failed to lead by example.

Organising the whole thing was Nehemiah. Organising is essential to ensure the work is carried out efficiently and effectively, but not all of us are called to organise, to oversee. If everyone managed, nothing would be achieved.