1 Samuel 12:23
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.
Tag: Failing to Pray is Sin
When we sin we think of doing things aggress against God. We think of the “missing the mark.” We think of acts of “commission” vs acts of “omission.” In the above passage, the prophet Samuel is speaking and he has just delivered a harsh criticism to the nation of Israel. They had, in rebellion, asked God for a “king” to lead them. God was their King and this request was characterized by Samuel (God’s voice) as rejection of the King of Kings over their lives. In helping them process this rebellious act, Samuel lets them know that God is still God whether they recognize it, or not. The nation is, as always, full of repentance, and Samuel, in response makes the above statement. Samuel does not want to sin and offend a holy and righteous God so Samuel wants them to know that he will pray for them. God will give them their king, but Samuel is going to make sure he, too, does not sin by failing to pray for them. Prayer is an act we are commanded to do. Failure to pray is an act of sin. Sin separates us from God and His blessings. So, failure to pray (communion with God) causes us to sin (be separate from God). Prayer is a command. Samuel was not going to fail to pray for the nation even though the nation was failing to recognize God as the authority in their life. Prayer recognizes God as the authority in our lives and that we submit to God for our care and every need. Failing to pray is sin.
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