For Whom Have You Stopped Praying?

Growing up, did you ever respond to your mother’s requests or commands with the statement, “But mom….(fill in the blank with your favorite excuse)? I know I did. Oddly enough, however, my mom was not often interested much in the reasoning and justification as to why I was unable to do something. She simply wanted me to be obedient. This is something I thought I had outgrown. However, Pastor Jeff’s sermon this Sunday brought to my attention that we, even as adults, often respond to God’s instruction in the same way.

I am grateful for Samuel’s example of consistent obedience to God, as it displays all He can do if we are simply willing vessels. To give some context to the situation, while Samuel was serving as a judge over the nation of Israel, the Israelites were intentionally sinning. They knew better and feared God, but they didn’t want the accountability and responsibility attached to being a follower of Christ. Eventually, the Israelites went as far as to undermine the authority God had over them by demanding a king.

This is the point in the story where I’d probably be tempted to give up on Israel. I think my complaint would go something like, “But God…they already had their chance!” After all, they had previously been warned to turn from their evil ways, and now have the audacity to give God a sort of ultimatum? Samuel, however, is not so quick to lose hope in God’s people. He prays, and the Lord tells Him to give the people what they want (1 Samuel 8:7.) God is patient with the Israelites, and He wants Samuel to learn to be patient as well.

It isn’t until the new king (Saul) is in position and Samuel is stepping down as a judge that God’s plan begins to supersede the Israelites’. As Samuel gives his final cautions to the country of Israel, he tells them to fear the Lord and revere His power, because He is greater than any other King (1 Samuel 12:14.) As a final illustration, Samuel draws the Israelites attention to something no earthly king could do—produce rain and thunder in an instant during wheat harvest season (1 Samuel 12:17.) This miraculous act was a turning point, as it began to wake the Israelites back up to God’s power.

However, they still had a lot of work to do and many trials to face. Likewise, Samuel doesn’t stop caring after stepping down. Rather, he commits to continuously pray for the nation of Israel (1 Samuel 12:23.) I can’t help but wonder what would have happened to the people of Israel if Samuel had lost faith in them? Would incredible leaders like David ever be used by God? Would Israel have ever regained power over the Philistines?

Although we are often quick to write people off as a lost cause, God demonstrates His patience and ability to redeem His people time and time again. The Israelites made a lot of mistakes, but don’t we all? Rather than ceasing our prayer for those who seem too far from salvation, let us choose to be patient. Let us choose to pray. Let us choose to have faith. Because God hasn’t given up yet.  

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Edited by: De Ann Sturdivant