SATURDAY March 9, 2019
Never Cease to Pray
“For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.”
1 Samuel 12:22-23
Israel was chosen to become God’s special people. He became their God, and they became His people––accepted. Israel had a relationship with God, but His blessings were contingent on their obedience. Samuel addressed Israel; despite their disobedience, God would not forsake them. Samuel then made an important statement: even though Israel was in rebellion, he would not sin against God and fail to pray for them.
Notice, it is a sin not to spend time in prayer with God. The Lord is the One trying to speak us, but if we fail to have close communion with God, the conversation is only one way. Prayer is a priority for Christians. We need to give ourselves constantly to prayer and the Word. The Word of God is never a priority over prayer, and prayer is never a priority over the Word of God. We need the balance of them both. How can you understand the Word of God apart from prayer?
In your prayer time, allow God to speak to your heart; make sure that you are responsive to God. Pray not only for your needs, but for the needs of others, using intercessory prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are instructed to: …pray without ceasing. Follow the example of Jesus in developing a life of prayer. He prayed in the morning and night. Sometimes all night long! Before Jesus chose His Twelve Apostles, He prayed all night: …He [Jesus]went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12).
As believers, we bear the name of Christ––Christians. So we need to follow in His footsteps. We need to be men and women of prayer. Pray without ceasing; speak with God constantly.
Not to pray is to live in sin.
~Raul Ries~
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