1 Sam 12:23

Was reading 1 Sam 12 yesterday nite, and something struck me. Samuel has just appointed Saul as King over Israel, and he's chiding the Israelites for asking for a king when in fact, God was their King above all kings. But despite being upset with the Israelites, Samuel says

"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." (1 Sam 12:23)

What struck me was that Samuel equated ceasing to pray for the Israelites to a sin against the LORD. So by inference, it would appear that when we stop or neglect praying for those whom God has put under our purview (e.g. family, friends, cell group members, etc), we are committing a sin AGAINST GOD HIMSELF.

Quite a sobering thought.