This morning Samuel's words struck me with conviction.

Soon after Saul became king and the people confessed their self-centered motives for demanding a king, Samuel said to them, "Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you" (1 Sam 12:23).

Samuel's view of prayer skyrockets like the 1,000 foot Eiffel Tower compared to my pathetic lumps of intercession and praise! How often we view prayer as optional and not necessary. When last did we consider ourselves in sin for refusing to pray for those whom God has brought into our lives?