....need

Samuel's great statement of the responsibility of praying for the people in our lives said, As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you." That's 1 Samuel 12:23. 

1.   "I pray."     That's the privilege of prayer.

What an honor to be invited by the Heavenly Father to participate in His work throughout the world simply by bowing our heads and expressing our thoughts and worship and requests to Him.

2.   "I pray for you."     That's the responsibility of prayer.

We need each other so much. We have not been sent out simply to pray for everyone everywhere, otherwise, we would get the phone book down and get started. However, we each have a circle of people who depend on us for prayer. In my case, it's my immediate and extended family first, then our church leadership and membership, and so on.

3.   "I cease to pray for you."     That's the danger of prayerlessness.

Many of us used to pray for people we no longer mention to God. What could cause us to quit? In Samuel's case, he had been rejected by the very people who were now asking for his prayers. He would have been within his rights to tell them to buzz off. But his devotion to them was not conditional on their response, so he would keep right on praying for them.

4.   "Far be it from me to cease praying for you."     This is the commitment to pray.

Samuel is not merely hoping he will pray or even asking God to help him pray; he is announcing to the people his intention of praying for them, period. He promises to intercede with God on their behalf.

5.   "Far be it from me to sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you."     This is the holy burden of prayer. It is a personal matter between the Heavenly Father and me. When I quit praying, I not only disappoint you and weaken myself, more importantly, I sin against God. After all, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." That's from Romans 14:23 and it applies to prayerlessness if it means anything.

God has given us the map, the Bible, to show us the way. But if He did nothing more - if we were on our own here - we would huddle around it trying to figure out where we are, where we want to go, and how to get there, making mistakes galore.  But God took pity on His wayward children and gave us a Guide:  Himself.  

The Holy Spirit knows the way and we follow Him.  His leadership is always in accordance with the Map, since He wrote it!  Our task is to stay close to Him and go where He leads.

-joe mckeever