As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. [1 Samuel 12.23]
Once again, this statement made by the great prophet Samuel stands out to me. However, today, this statement means more to me than ever before.
Why would it have been a sin against God for Samuel not to pray for the people?
Back a few weeks ago, I wrote about the scripture below:
The LORD said to Moses, “Give these instructions to the people of Israel: The offerings you present as special gifts are a pleasing aroma to me; they are my food. See to it that they are brought at the appointed times and offered according to my instructions. [Numbers 28.1-2]
What is prayer if it is not an offering to God?
If prayer is an offering to God, and our offerings to God are His food... you can see how quickly we can enter trouble if we withhold our offerings of prayer from God!
Samuel understood his responsibility to pray for people. He was, after all, a priest.
If we take seriously the New Testament claims that we are brought into God's Kingdom and, in that Kingdom, are kings and PRIESTS, then we too would do well to understand the responsibility we carry as such!
As pointed out by Samuel, prayer for people is perhaps the most important role of a priest. Yes, it is for the people's benefit, but more importantly, it is for God's nourishment.
So, how important is prayer now?
Father, I do not want to neglect my duty to pray. I do not want to neglect my obligation to bring my prayers to You as an offering that nourishes You (and, as an ambassador of Christ,brings Your will as it is in heaven...).
Back a few weeks ago, I wrote about the scripture below:
The LORD said to Moses, “Give these instructions to the people of Israel: The offerings you present as special gifts are a pleasing aroma to me; they are my food. See to it that they are brought at the appointed times and offered according to my instructions. [Numbers 28.1-2]
What is prayer if it is not an offering to God?
If prayer is an offering to God, and our offerings to God are His food... you can see how quickly we can enter trouble if we withhold our offerings of prayer from God!
Samuel understood his responsibility to pray for people. He was, after all, a priest.
If we take seriously the New Testament claims that we are brought into God's Kingdom and, in that Kingdom, are kings and PRIESTS, then we too would do well to understand the responsibility we carry as such!
As pointed out by Samuel, prayer for people is perhaps the most important role of a priest. Yes, it is for the people's benefit, but more importantly, it is for God's nourishment.
So, how important is prayer now?
Father, I do not want to neglect my duty to pray. I do not want to neglect my obligation to bring my prayers to You as an offering that nourishes You (and, as an ambassador of Christ,brings Your will as it is in heaven...).
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