1 Samuel 12:23 “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.”
There is the joy of praying for others – and yes – there is the RESPONSIBILITY of praying for others. There is the joy of teaching others – and yes – there is the RESPONSIBILITY of teaching others. Samuel gives one of the most inspiring verses in the Bible of what it means to be a discipler as a discipler is going to pray for a person and teach them how to live the right way!
So, from 1 Samuel 12:23, let us be committed to praying for others and to be committed to teaching/discipling others.
If you are unsure what to pray for as you pray for family and friends I suggest using Colossians 1:9-11 as a guide. (This guide is on the Date the Word App where it is broken down to pray a request each day of the week)
Colossians 1:9-11 says, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (pray a person knows God’s Will) 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, (pray they WALK worthy/pleasing the Lord) being fruitful in every good work (pray their WORK for God is productive) and increasing in the knowledge of God; (praying they grow in WISDOM/understanding knowledge of God) 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; (pray they WITHSTAND trials and temptations by His power!)
If you are not sure what to teach I suggest you take a good look at 2 Timothy 3:10 as Paul tells Timothy that he had “carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions,”
These 9 areas lay a great foundation for any believer to build on.
Samuel made a commitment, a commitment to PRAY FOR and to DISCIPLE God’s people. I challenge you to look at 1 Samuel 12:23 as a guide as you make your 2025 commitments. Commit to praying for a group of people. Commit to discipling a group of people.
Make the COMMITMENT of I WILL PRAY and I WILL DISCIPLE!
Continue Strong as a discipler
And Remember to Date the Word