READ: Genesis 20:1-18
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men…” – 1 Timothy 2:1-3
The Bible tells us clearly that Satan is the god of this world (1 Corinthians 4:4). Satan seems to have legal control over the nations of this earth. Before God can intervene in the affairs of men, He has to be invited through prayer, by a legitimate citizen of this world. You and I are legitimate members of the world community. If the Lord gets involved without a legal invitation, Satan can accuse Him of the crime of illegal takeovers, such as happened with Iraq and Kuwait.
Once, Abraham’s wife was illegally taken by the King of the day. God appeared to the king called Abimelech, and told him: “Tell Abraham to pray for you.” Why did God not deliver Abimelech right away? After all, he knew about the prayer that Abraham was going to pray. God has to wait for the invitation of men before getting involved in the affairs of this world.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, one of the offers that Satan made to Him was to give Him all of the kingdoms of the world. If Satan could not have given the kingdoms of the world to Jesus, it would not have been a temptation. It was a real temptation to Jesus because Satan was actually the one in control of the kingdoms of the world. You cannot give something that you do not have!
God is waiting for our invitation through prayer. When we invite Him to build our nations in freedom, justice and peace, He will do just that. Christians pray and God brings change.