In his parting speech to the nation he led for many years, Samuel made an intriguing statement about prayer:

Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.

As Samuel stepped aside for Israel’s first king, he choose to underscore prayer as his key contribution to the nation’s flourishing. Not his years of hard-earned wisdom, or a pledge of all his worldly goods. Rather, intensive prayer on their behalf.

Samuel held himself accountable. To fail put him wrong before the Lord. Samuel walked in a most intimate way with God for years and years, and possessed unusual insight into divine workings. Thanks to his experiences Samuel understood the vital power and significance of prayer.

Samuel’s words remind me that prayer is more than a good idea as I also attempt to walk with God. Focused prayer unlocks doors to deeper, richer faith, even if I only scratch the surface in my feeble attempts.

But feeble is fine when the object of our prayers in the Lord. He multiplies whatever we offer. I only junk the process by refusing to pray. Lean into praying for family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and the world around us. Perhaps the Lord waits for us to move our prayer life from advisable to vital.

I Samuel 12 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Silas Köhler