https://odb.org/2025/07/01/loving-others-through-prayer
1 Samuel 12:19–25 (NIV): 19 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.” 20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name, the LORD will not reject his people because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 25 Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”
When I was younger, around 20-25 years back, I used to travel a lot for work. Mainly to Delhi and Chennai in India, but also to other cities like Seoul, Saigon, Ha Noi, Manila, Hanzhou, and Beijing. During that time, I also had a chance to travel to Dubai, Karachi, London, Moscow, and Sydney. It was an interesting time in my work life, and I recalled that my late mum and dad fervently prayed for me. Except for a bad bout of food poisoning from consuming fresh fruits at the airport lounge in Mumbai (it was a silly mistake), I don’t recall having had a bad experience during my travels abroad for work. I believe my mum’s and dad’s prayers and also of the saints in the church stood me well in those times, preserving and protecting my well-being. We used to pray that the blood of Jesus covers us and His angels keeping us safe.
Thus, as much as God allowed but was displeased with the Israelites depending on their King instead of Him; Samuel, His prophet, nevertheless did not cease to pray for the people of Israel. Samuel declared in 1 Samuel 12:23 – “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. ” It was a telling statement by Samuel. No matter what he thinks of their rebellious ways, his love for his people never ceases.
One of the ways we could show our love for others is to pray for them. Praying for others is beyond having communion with God. It is asking God to protect them or that He intervenes in their unique situations to heal or guide them along and often times despite their sinful, rebellious ways. We look beyond their human weaknesses and seek divine providence for them even though we may not even like them! That’s the meaning of love your enemy! We show love for our enemies by praying for their well-being, not their destruction! We don’t call down thunder and lightning but God’s love, joy, and peace upon their lives. We pray that despite their iniquities, God will touch them to give their lives to Jesus.
There are people who pray for us, especially our mothers, and I believe a mother’s prayer is especially special, like my wife’s prayers for our two beloved sons. We can see changes in them even as she prays for them. Likewise, we should reciprocate by praying for others. For our family, our cell group members, our church members, our friends and colleagues, and for believers and non-believers in this land and elsewhere. That’s one way we can show love – by praying for them.
Ronnie's Thoughts 