1 Samuel 12:18-25: a reflection

18So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day. Then all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19All the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.” 20Samuel said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil; yet don’t turn away from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21Don’t turn away to go after vain things which can’t profit or deliver, for they are vain. 22For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. 23Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you. 25But if you keep doing evil, you will be consumed, both you and your king.”

The people have sinned in demanding a king, and, frightened by the thunder God sends, they beg Samuel to pray for them. Samuel reassures them, and then says something notable about his own commitment to intercede for them: Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; I will instruct you in the good and right way. Even though they had sinned and grieved him, Samuel regards it as a sin to stop praying for them; he is committed to keep interceding for them.

Notice how Samuel views the duty of praying for others: to cease would be a sin against God. He does not stop praying for the people because they have sinned or disappointed him; on the contrary, he considers it a sin against God to stop interceding for them. His commitment to pray for them is not conditional on their behavior; it is a duty he owes before God, one he will not abandon even when they have gone astray. Faithful intercession for others, even for those who have erred, was to Samuel a sacred obligation.

That view of intercession is worth taking to heart. We can grow weary of praying for others, especially those who have disappointed or wronged us, and quietly stop. But Samuel regarded ceasing to pray for the people, even after they had sinned, as a sin against God. Faithful intercession for others is a duty we owe before God, not to be abandoned because those we pray for have failed or wronged us. Do not cease praying for others, even for those who have disappointed or wronged you; consider, as Samuel did, that faithful intercession is a duty owed before God. Keep praying for those God has laid on your heart, and for those who have erred, rather than abandoning them in your prayers. To keep interceding, even for the wayward, is faithfulness; let it not be said of you that you sinned against God by ceasing to pray for those you were called to intercede for.

Lord, after the people sinned in demanding a king, Samuel reassured them and said, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; even though they had grieved him, he regarded it as a sin to stop interceding for them. Take that view of intercession to my heart. I can grow weary of praying for others, especially those who have disappointed or wronged me, and quietly stop. But Samuel regarded ceasing to pray for the people, even after they had sinned, as a sin against you. Faithful intercession for others is a duty I owe before you, not to be abandoned because those I pray for have failed or wronged me. Keep me from ceasing to pray for others, even for those who have disappointed or wronged me; help me consider, as Samuel did, that faithful intercession is a duty owed before you. Help me keep praying for those you have laid on my heart, and for those who have erred, rather than abandoning them in my prayers. To keep interceding, even for the wayward, is faithfulness; let it not be said of me that I sinned against you by ceasing to pray for those I was called to intercede for. Make me faithful in prayer for others, Lord.