Pray & Teach
The prophet Samuel delivers an important message
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As far as I am concerned, far be it from me to sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you! I will instruct you in the way that is good and upright.
1 Samuel 12:23 (NET)
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This is the prophet Samuel speaking to the people after they chose Saul as their king.
Also, this is challenging for me.
I hadn’t thought about ceasing to pray for people as a sin.
I don’t know if that was a specific command to Samuel, but we’ve certainly been encouraged to pray for our people in other verses.
I guess I better take this more seriously.
Certainly a good principle to take to heart.
Samuel also takes on the responsibility to teach the people in the way that is good & righteous.
That’s a heavy responsibility, not to be taken lightly.
I take it seriously.
I’ve also found that teaching goes much better — and more consistent — when I’m personally steady in my time reading the Word and consistent in my prayer life.
Which makes sense, I can only teach while empowered by the Holy Spirit and those are the best ways to talk with Him.
Maybe this is a personal challenge for me today, or maybe it’s good for you too.
I don’t know.
But I do know that I enjoyed today’s verse and it’s got me thinking about how I can better live this out.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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