Blog post April 27, 2026

"As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right." 1 Samuel 12:23

Without a little context we are left wondering who said this and why. Samuel said it to Israel because they had rejected God as their King and asked for another. Even with their sin, Samuel felt called to continue to stand in the gap for them and teach them what is good and right.

Aren't we glad that when we fall short there is One who is committed to stand in the gap for us and continue to pray for us and teach us what is good and right?

As I think about sin, I am asking what moral law did Samuel break to make "not praying" a sin? It seems that Samuel was thinking of the sin of omission rather than a sin of commission. "Him that knows to do good and does not do it to him it is sin."

The sin of omission could be as simple as "missing the mark," or the spiritual standard set before you. Samuel felt if he discontinued praying for Israel he would be missing the mark.

Again, I am so thankful that the One standing in the gap for us never misses the mark. He never has the sin of commission or omission. He is the Perfect One to stand in the gap for us. We certainly miss the mark, sometimes on a regular basis, but we should be so thankful that Jesus does not base His love for us based on our level of perfection.

As for me, I can identify with Samuel. I feel that if a day goes by and I have failed to pray for my family I have left a gate open for the evil one to enter. If I have failed to pray for my Church, I have failed to uphold them, perhaps in their time of need.

"The fervent effectual pray of a righteous person avails much." I want to accomplish much in the "prayer" category.

Thank you Heavenly Father for Jesus who stands in the gap for us. How blessed we are that Your love for us is not based on our behavior. Help us to not "miss the mark" today by failing to pray for others. I Jesus name I pray. AMEN