"As for me, far be it from me
that I should sin against the LORD
in ceasing to pray for you . ."
(1 Samuel 12:23)
We are called to pray. Tomorrow, Thursday May 6th, 2010, is the 59th annual National Day of Prayer. It is a time and a season that our nation is calling and asking us to pray, to pray for our nation.
Perhaps you are aware that this has become quite controversial. One Federal Judge has said that such a “National Day of Prayer” is unconstitutional (which is crazy in light of the history of our nation). Because of this, there has been a flurry of thoughts and conversations about having a National Day of Prayer. Even many Christian debate whether such a Day has value.
I want to leave all the debates and discussions behind with just a simple thought for you today…we are called to pray. Our call to pray is not coming from our nations leaders or laws….it is from God. Consider Samuel’s response when the people of his nation asked him to pray.
"As for me, far be it from me
that I should sin against the LORD
in ceasing to pray for you . ."
For Samuel, he knew that to not pray would be sinful. Samuel was right, for a Christian not to pray is to sin against God. We have hundreds of commands in the Bible calling us to pray, to pray for our nation, to pray for others, and even to pray for our enemies. Without elaboration – Biblically we are commanded to pray. Thus, not to pray, is sinful. Whether any law calls for us to pray or not to pray…in is inconsequential. We are called by God to pray, and not to do so, would be to “sin against the LORD”. Samuel believed this…do you?
"As for me, far be it from me
that I should sin against the LORD
in ceasing to pray for you . ."
For Samuel, he knew that even in discouraging times, he had to pray. In 1 Samuel, the nation of Israel had sinned, they had rejected the Lord and chosen a human king – Saul. Samuel declared to them their sins in this and their folly as a nation. In their honest response, they cried out to Samuel to pray for them…and the verse we are considering today is Samuel’s response. My point is this, sometimes we can be discouraged about the road our nation is on…and it can make us less excited to really pray for it. Samuel would understand that well. Yet, he knew that even though he was disappointed with how things were going, he had to pray. How about you? Are you letting disappointment or discouragement keep you from interceding for this nation, for God’s people in this nation? If so, may Samuel’s commitment be one that moves you – he knew he had to pray.
"As for me, far be it from me
that I should sin against the LORD
in ceasing to pray for you . ."
For Samuel, he knew that he personally had to pray. One of the things that easily happens when we consider God’s calls to pray like this, is we look at what others are doing, instead of what we are doing. Right now, I DO NOT want you to think about others, or your church or the church as a whole – but simply to consider your personal part. I want to challenge you to come to the place of personal commitment to pray that Samuel did. I want to call you to be a person that prays – for others, for our nation. I long that you would say with Samuel: “As for me….”
Today, can I remind you that God is calling us to be a people of prayer and to not do so…is to sin against the Lord
"As for me, far be it from me
that I should sin against the LORD
in ceasing to pray for you . ."
(1 Samuel 12:23)
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
(1 Timothy 2:1–6)
Jim
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