Don't Neglect the Prayers Written by Neal Bowes

Friday, July 30

1 Samuel 12:23
²³ As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

Samuel was furious with the Israelites. God had always been faithful to them, freeing them from captivity in Egypt, leading them through the desert and into the Promised Land, and securing numerous victories for them on the battlefield. All along the way, the people were ungrateful. They forged a golden calf idol, complained about the food, and doubted God's faithfulness. And now, they wanted to have a human king rather than continue to rely on God as their head of state.

It was like a slap in the face for all God had done for them and Samuel was very angry. So, he let them have it, telling them how wicked and faithless they were.

But, he said, even though you have turned away from God, I will continue to pray for you, because, if I were to stop praying for you, I would be sinning.

That's a pretty powerful statement. Samuel says that if we neglect praying for people who have made us angry--if there are people who we consider unworthy of our prayers--we are in the wrong. Jesus echoed the same sentiment in Mathew 5:44: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." It's easy to allow our human emotions to taint our thoughts and actions, but we have been called to a higher standard.

List three people who you should be praying for, but aren't currently. Begin today including them in your daily prayers.


If today's devotion spoke to you in a particular way and you feel led to share your thoughts with others, please do so.