不要以为神关于代帱的启示是那么突然、神奇的临到。我们要从神的心领受这样的启示，必须经过一段漫长的过程。在创世记十八章，亚伯拉罕在神面前荣耀的代祷，不是地上的人向天上的神祷告，乃是两个朋友之间的交谈。代祷乃是照着神心愿的揭示来与神密谈。这是代祷的第一个基本原则。要符合代祷的第一个原则，就是照着神心愿亲密的启示，我们必须经过一段漫长的过程。我们需要受对付、受割礼、被了结。然后我们就豫备好得以与神亲密的交通。
表面上为着所多玛，实际上为着罗得
表面上亚伯拉罕是为所多玛代祷，实际上他是为罗得代祷。原则上，亚伯拉罕为罗得的代祷，就像新约里教会的代祷一样。在亚伯拉罕的时代，神在地上的子民由两个家所组成，就是亚伯拉罕家和罗得家。神的部分子民，就是罗得家，已经漂流到罪恶的所多玛城里。照样，一些教会的人也已经漂流到世界中。亚伯拉罕怎样为漂流到所多玛神的那部分子民代祷，照样，我们也必须为漂流到世界中的弟兄姊妹代祷。
照着神的心
一切正确的代祷，因为都是照着出于神的心的启示，所以必是照着神的心。神虽然没有题罗得的名字，但亚伯拉罕晓得神的心意。亚伯拉罕不是照着神外面的话代祷，乃是照着神里面的心意代祷。正确的代祷总得摸着神的心。
代祷不仅仅是祷告，乃是亲密的谈话。亚伯拉罕说，“无论善恶，你都要剿灭么？”亚伯拉罕似乎对神说，“这是你的作法么？让我题醒你，你不该这样作。在那城里可能有五十个义人。为着可能在那里的五十个义人，你不饶恕那城么？”这既不是祷告，也不是恳求，乃是在非常友善的谈话中向神挑战。代祷的基本原则乃是，代祷是挑战的谈话，不是祷告或恳求。你曾否经历过这样的代祷，用挑战的方式和神谈话，说，“主，这是你作事的方法么？审判全地的主岂不行公义么？将义人与恶人同杀，是你的作法么？当然不是！”这是真正的代祷。
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A Glorious Intercession (2) – Gen. 18:23-24
Do not think that the revelation concerning intercession came to Abraham so suddenly and miraculously. For us to receive such a revelation from God’s heart, we must pass through a long process. In Genesis 18, Abraham’s glorious intercession before God was not a prayer from a man on earth to the God in heaven; rather, it was a conversation between two friends. Intercession is an intimate talk with God according to the unveiling of His heart’s desire. This is the first basic principle of intercession. To meet the first principle of intercession, which is the intimate revelation according to God’s heart desire, we must pass through a long process. We need to be dealt with, circumcised and terminated. Then we will be prepared to have intimate fellowship with God.
Apparently for Sodom, Actually for Lot
Apparently, Abraham was interceding for Sodom; actually, he was interceding for Lot. In principle, Abraham’s intercession for Lot is like the church’s intercession in the New Testament. In Abraham’s time, God’s people on earth were composed of two families: Abraham’s family and Lot’s family. A part of God’s people, Lot’s family, had drifted into the wicked city of Sodom. Likewise, some people in the church have also drifted into the world. Just as Abraham interceded for that part of God’s people who had drifted into Sodom, so we also must intercede for the brothers and sisters who have drifted into the world.
According to God’s Heart
Since all proper intercession is according to the revelation from God’s heart, it must be according to God’s heart. Although God did not mention Lot’s name, Abraham knew God’s heart. Abraham did not intercede according to God’s outward speaking, but according to God’s inward intention. Proper intercession must always touch the heart of God.
Intercession is not merely prayer; it is an intimate conversation. Abraham said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” Abraham seemed to be saying to God, “Is this Your way? Let me remind You, You should not do this. There may be fifty righteous in the city. Will You not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?” This was neither a prayer nor a supplication, but a challenge to God in a very friendly conversation. The basic principle of intercession is that intercession is a challenging conversation, not a prayer or supplication. Have you ever experienced such intercession, talking to God in a challenging way, saying, “Lord, is this Your way of doing things? Shall not the Judge of all the earth do justice? To slay the righteous with the wicked, is this Your way? Certainly not!” This is true intercession.