I Samuel 12:18-25
The reason the people rejected Samuel as their leader was because of their own spiritual shortcomings.
Samuel considered that if he failed to keep praying for the people, he would be sinning against the Lord.
Conclusions
1. Prayerlessness is sinful.
“practical atheism” -if you don't pray, you don't really believe in Him.
God wants us to pray because He wants us to demonstrate that we believe He can do anything.
(Jeremiah 33:3. II Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 18:19)
2. Prayerlessness robs us of blessing.
The concepts of asking and receiving are much of what the Christian life is all about. (James 4:2)
Learn to look at prayer as a blessing, not a chore that you have to force yourself to do.
3. Prayerlessness indicates an unwillingness to forgive.
test of forgiveness: Can you bring yourself to pray FOR the person?
What happens
a. feelings of love will return
b. feelings of anger, bitterness and hatred will dissipate.
Spiritual passion cannot co-exist with resentment.
A commitment to pray is a truly righteous action.
Samuel considered that if he failed to keep praying for the people, he would be sinning against the Lord.
Conclusions
1. Prayerlessness is sinful.
“practical atheism” -if you don't pray, you don't really believe in Him.
God wants us to pray because He wants us to demonstrate that we believe He can do anything.
(Jeremiah 33:3. II Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 18:19)
2. Prayerlessness robs us of blessing.
The concepts of asking and receiving are much of what the Christian life is all about. (James 4:2)
Learn to look at prayer as a blessing, not a chore that you have to force yourself to do.
3. Prayerlessness indicates an unwillingness to forgive.
test of forgiveness: Can you bring yourself to pray FOR the person?
What happens
a. feelings of love will return
b. feelings of anger, bitterness and hatred will dissipate.
Spiritual passion cannot co-exist with resentment.
A commitment to pray is a truly righteous action.
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