“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you” (I Samuel 12:23).
I struggled praying for a brother who needed a temporary place to live while settling his personal issues. In three weeks I did not see any results of my intense prayers.
One Sunday, my precious hubby and me met the brother in need at church before the worship service. My husband offered, “What about using our green room?”
Unexpected, I smiled sheepishly, “O yes, you can.”
He reinforced, “We will declutter the room. Why don’t you call or text us on Wednesday?”
Brother in need lightened, “I can help clear the room.”
We both assured him, “No, we can do it.”
Within two weeks no word from the brother till one night a text message came before our first Saturday of the month prayer breakfast. He said, “Is there a prayer breakfast tomorrow?”
After our prayer breakfast, my precious Hal, me and the brother finalized his move to our spare room the following day.
Is failing to pray for others a sin? Samuel’s words indicate that it is. His action illustrates two of God’s people responsibilities: (1) they should pray consistently for others (Ephesians 6:18), and (2) they should teach others the right way to God (2 Timothy 2:2). Helping without expecting any return is part of serving and leading others closer to God.
We may disagree with others, but we shouldn’t stop praying for them.
I pray for a dear brother sincerely but I did not expect the answers for his need will be our spare room. God used my precious husband’s tender heart to answer my intense prayers.
Are we experts in praying but not good in expecting God’s best answers to our prayers?
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Lilian Hosfeld 