When the people asked him to pray for them, Samuel said, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” Prayerlessness is the epitome of selfishness because my failure to intercede for others means I am withholding that which would so greatly bless them. That is why Samuel was shocked at the suggestion that he wouldn’t pray.

Prayer is the proof of love, and love is the product of prayer. If I love someone, I will pray for him. And if I pray for him, I will love him. That’s why Jesus told us to pray for our enemies. If you pray for someone - even someone you don’t like - something happens within you. You find your heart knit to those for whom you pray.

Intercession is the common denominator of all godly men and women. Whether it’s in the Bible or in biographies, you’ll notice that, without exception, the people who have really left a mark for the Lord and have made a difference in this world are men and women given to intercession.

Note that Samuel said he would pray before he said he would teach. If you’re one who aspires to be used in Christian service, understand that it is not teaching, counseling, discipling, or even witnessing that is the priority of true ministry. It’s prayer. The apostles who were setting the pace and leading the way in ministry said, “It is not reasonable that we should leave the ministry of prayer and the Word to tend to the practical needs in the church in Jerusalem” (Acts 6). What came first? Prayer.

Many believers know this theoretically, but they don’t understand it practically. May we be the exception. Greatness awaits the man or woman who will make prayer a priority. Therefore, let us be people given to prayer.