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A prayer from hell
(Mortimer, "Devotional Commentary on the Gospels")
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and
saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. The
rich man cried, "Father Abraham, have pity on me!
Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in
water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony
in these flames!" Luke 16:23-24
If prayers were heard in hell, how many would be
offered up! But the 'abode of despair' is not the place
for prayer. All the rich man's requests were refused.
His was a very small petition. It was not a petition for
'release'. Lost spirits know that release is impossible.
The gates have closed upon them forever.
But the rich man hoped that the slightest possible
relief might be granted. He did not ask that Lazarus
might bring him a large glass, nor even a drop of
water—he did not ask that he might dip his own hand
or finger in water—but he asked that Lazarus might
dip the tip of his finger in water, and apply it to his
burning tongue. Yet the request was refused!
Lazarus must not feel even for a moment the scorching
flames of hell—nor must the rich man taste one drop of
the cooling streams of heaven.
There is a great gulf fixed. The inhabitants of each
eternal world know that there can be no change of
state. Hell knows that no celestial comforter will
ever enter her gates—and Heaven that no malicious
enemy will ever break through hers.
This fills heaven with delight, and hell with despair!
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and
saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. The
rich man cried, "Father Abraham, have pity on me!
Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in
water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony
in these flames!" Luke 16:23-24
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