Ceaseless Prayer

People we know making poor choices. Loved ones ignoring wise advise. Family members ignoring God. We keep praying for them, but it seems nothing changes. Samuel, in the Old Testament, knew this frustration well. He served as a judge at a time when “Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit (Judges 21:25).”

Samuel repeatedly saw Israel disobey God. In 1 Samuel 12, after appointing a king over them against God’s wishes for them, he reminds them of all the times they have disobeyed God. Yet he tells them, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile (verse 20-21).”

Samuel continues to encourage them to follow God’s commands. He points out the futility of their disobedience. Then he told them, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way (23).” Samuel views ceasing to pray for them as sinful. He does not give up on them.

We may lose hope for our loved ones as they continue to ignore God and pursue harmful things in their life. We may grow weary from trying to show them the futility of their poor choices. Yet Samuel reminds us that we should not cease to pray for them, and continue to show them “the good and right way.”

© 2024, Chris G. Thelen

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NASB