Focusing Leaders

"As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right."

In Samuel's retirement speech, he makes a curious comment, saying that he would be sinning against God if he stopped praying for people. Have you ever thought of praying for people as an obligation that God expects of you? Have you got a list of people that God has given you some kind of responsibility for, and for whom you are praying regularly? This really struck me about a year ago, that I am involved in helping many people grow spiritually, and that I spend a lot of time teaching and training and modelling and leading and encouraging, and that I also ought to be very intentionally praying for their growth and development, as well as investing in them with my time and energy. I need to give them attention in communion with God as well as attention in personal communication.

I encourage you to make or to review your prayer list, and to commit yourself to praying daily for the people God has put around you.

Father, help me see the people you have given me responsibility for. Thank you for those precious relationships, and please bless them today in their love and obedience and growth in you, to feel your presence and protection adn guidance, to gain more passion for their growth in you and more vision for your purposes in their lives. In Jesus' name, amen.