I’ve said it many times, you can’t separate a prophet from prayer any more than you can separate an evangelist from preaching the Gospel. It’s just part of the prophet’s DNA. Not all intercessors are prophets but all prophets are intercessors.
Let’s look at the Message Bible translation of Abimelech’s revelation and God’s instruction in Genesis 20:6-8.
God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that’s why I kept you from sinning against me; I was the one who kept you from going to bed with her. So now give the man’s wife back to him. He’s a prophet and will pray for you—pray for your life. If you don’t give her back, know that it’s certain death both for you and everyone in your family.”
Abimelech was up first thing in the morning. He called all his house servants together and told them the whole story. They were shocked. Then Abimelech called in Abraham and said, “What have you done to us? What have I ever done to you that you would bring on me and my kingdom this huge offense? What you’ve done to me ought never to have been done.”
I like the message version because it’s in plain language. Can you imagine Abimelech’s shock? You can also see that he was offended. I wonder what he thought of Abram’s character at that moment? Abimelech felt tricked, shammed, short-changed. God is a just God, though, and new Abimelech didn’t have all the facts when he took Sarai for his own.
