In an address to the people, Samuel, the part-priest, part-prophet, part-judge of Israel, says the following when the people urge Samuel to not stop interceding on their behalf:
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.” – 1 Samuel 12:23
Oh Lord, may I realize the depths of my sin by neglecting to pray for those you have put around me! Samuel’s statement touches on an oft-neglected obligation: the command to pray.
It is common to hold prayer for others as beneficial, loving, and–unfortunately–entirely optional. We can forget that Jesus says things like “pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44), meaning, “like yes, actually do it.” Samuel feels deeply this burden of prayer, equating ceasing it with sinning against the Lord. I think, at best, I might view my neglected prayer as (maybe?) sinning against those I’m failing to pray for, but likely not against the Lord!
There are likely two reasons I see why we wouldn’t pray:
1. We don’t actually believe that prayer works.
For whatever reason, we haven’t taken to heart God’s command to pray. Perhaps we are discouraged about unanswered prayer in our past, perhaps we doubt God’s ability or desire to hear us, or perhaps we think that God’s sovereignty rules out His desire to work through our prayers. Whatever it is, we must wrestle through these doubts.
2. We don’t actually love the people for whom we are called to pray.
This is true for everyone. Due to our humanity, we will fall short of how we are to love. But, luckily, if we can realize this, our first step is confession and prayer to the Lord, who can impart a Godly compassion to us. Praise God that we are not left alone in our sin, but by His Spirit, God will continue to mold his children into the likeness of Jesus.
May we, full of faith in a God who hears prayer and love for the people around us, feel too Samuel’s burden to pray.
J. A. Syverson 