PRAY ANYHOW
I SAMUEL 12:23
Introduction:
Samuel had served the children of Israel for many years as their judge and the Lord had blessed them and their land. Nevertheless, they wanted a king like their neighbors and pressed Samuel to get one for them.
Finally, Samuel anointed Saul under God’s direction, to be king over Israel. Samuel knew this was not God perfect will, however, the Lord allowed it.
Samuel’s concern for the Lord’s people continued and he determined that his responsibility to pray for them was enlarged by their great spiritual need.
I. SAMUEL’S GREAT HEART IS REVEALED
A. Samuel knew that God was not pleased with Israel’s desire to have a king, 1 Samuel 8:7, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”
B. They had rejected their God as their King, 1 Samuel 10:19, “And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay , but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.”
C. Samuel knew that Israel would need His help more than ever, 1 Samuel 12:23,“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”
1. The people had seen God’s great power, 1 Samuel 12:16-18, “Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. 17- Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. 18- So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.”
2. In their fear they asked Samuel to pray for them, 1 Samuel 12:19, “And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.”
3. Samuel saw his responsibility to the Lord as the Apostle Paul did, Romans 1:9, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”
II. INTERCESSARY PRAYER
A. Moses interceded for Israel, Deuteronomy 9:18, “And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 20- And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time,”
1. Intercessory prayer is not only in sickness, but also during a time of rebellion of someone against the Lord as in this case with Israel.
2. Men of God must pray for their brethren, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2- For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
B. Job interceded for his family, Job 1:5, “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”
C. The Lord’s admonition regard intercessory prayer, Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
CONCLUSION