1 Samuel 12:23(AMP)
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.
Prayerlessness is a significant challenge facing present-day believers. According to Prophet Samuel, to be prayer-less is a sin. People who neglect prayer are not far from iniquity. Prayerlessness, especially failure to pray for the ones who are our spiritual responsibilities, is a sin of omission. It is a sin not to pray because prayerlessness leaves the door open for all other sins. Many say it is unfortunate that they do not pray more; they admit their prayer life is weak and ineffective, but we sin when we do not pray. We sin against God when we refuse or neglect the practice of prayer. Failing to pray is also an indicator of a lack of love for the Lord. When we do not pray, we move away from any possibility of intimacy with God. Job 21:14-15 says, “Yet they say to God, leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?” Many refuse to pray as they ought to because they have become overconfident and proud.
The importance of prayer to believers cannot be over-emphasized. Prayer is our lifeline and connection to God. Demonstrating our daily dependence on God through prayer is essential. Prayer is a ladder we can climb to enter into God’s Presence. That is, prayer attracts the Presence of God. Luke 18:1 says, “….men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” God is calling us all to a life of prayer. It is a life lived close to Him. Prayer imparts the power to walk and not faint. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “be unceasing and persistent in prayer.” So, anything other than a continual attitude of prayer and communion with God is sin. Anything that interrupts our connection to God or leads to self-reliance is a sin. To be prayerful is to be easily sin-free. Sin keeps us from prayer, and prayer keeps us from sin. In other words, to be prayerful is to be easily sin-free, and to be prayer-less is to be sin-prone. Prayer keeps us from evil because the Presence of God is a sanctifier. When we live with God at the place of prayer, His nature of holiness robs on us.
Beloved, you have no excuse for operating a prayer-less life because prayer lifts the Hand of God, but prayerlessness encourages the devil to continue with his destruction. So, pray without ceasing both in the spirit and understanding. Because when you pray, supernatural power is released to counter every affliction in your life. Decide not to fall into the temptation of prayerlessness. It is not the time to sleep but the time to be spiritually awake, alert, and prepared. It is the time to pray about virtually everything that crosses our path. Pray until something happens in your heart and life! Pray without ceasing! Today, make demands on God-ordained benefits for your life and attack the needs and wants of life at the place of prayer. As you continue in prayer, the Good Shepherd will direct your path and keep you in His Mercy, Strength, and Love. Remember, prayer gives you a permanent stand with God and makes you anointed beyond measure.
O LORD, I ask that You deliver me from the sin of prayerlessness. Give me the grace to maintain a sincere prayer life and always prevail at the place of prayer in Jesus’ Name.