1 Sam 12:16 - 25 The Sin of Prayerlessness
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:
Sin can be of two kinds: It consists either in the doing of what I know to be wrong (In that sin is the transgression of the law) 1 John 3:4,
or sin is the failure to do what I know to be right. "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin". (James 4:17)
There are sins of Commission or sins of Omission. Both are sins.
Prayer is possible for every child of God. Every Christian can pray.
The first mark of the "new life" is prayer. (Acts 9:11) And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Why is Prayerlessness a Sin?
I. By Prayerlessness the Cross of Christ is Despised.
(a) The Untold Price of this Access.
Mark 15:37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:16)
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
That price was paid so we could have access to God's presence.
(b) The Untrod Path of this Access.
The price is paid, but the path is not used.
Jesus said, "But thou, when thou prayest, (Not IF thou prayest) enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly".
The access is meant to be used.
The privilege is meant to be valued.
This gift is meant to be treasured.
II. By Prayerlessness the Church of Christ Is Deprived.
Not only is there an access that the Christian is meant to enjoy,
but there are answers the Christian is meant to receive in prayer.
"Prayer moves the arm that moves the world, To bring Salvation down."
Prayer changes things, and the absence of prayer means that things are not changed.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
God hears and answers prayer, and still the church doesn't pray.
See the Impoverishment when the Church Doesn't Pray.
Matthew 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
III. By Prayerlessness the Cause of Christ is Defeated.
There is the access we can enjoy.
There are the answers we can receive,
but there is the enemy we can defeat.
Eph 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Human weapons will not avail. Prayer alone will defeat the enemy.
Prayerlessness is not merely a "lazy spot" in our lives, but a sin that grieves God.
23 as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you:
