10 KEEP PRAYING TO AVOID SINNING AGAINST THE LORD.

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.

     —1 Samuel 12:23

Prayerlessness sins against God and others. God’s will moves from eternity into time through prayer.

God has intended for His bride, the church, to pray “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we fail to pray, the invisible does not become visible and the substance for which we believe remains still hoped for.

Prayerlessness is sin; it separates us from God.

Without prayer, communion ceases.

Without prayer, nothing happens, as E.M. Bounds wisely instructed.

Without prayer, the Spirit remains uninvited to move through us by His gifts and produce in us His fruit.

With prayer, sin is confessed and cleansed away.

With prayer, communication with God becomes a river of living water and a consuming fire burning away our dross and refining our faith.

With prayer, our ears are opened to hear the incredible.

With prayer, our eyes are opened to see the invisible.

With prayer, our lives are empowered to do the impossible.

Therefore, prayerlessness breeds more than neglect in our lives. It offers up the stench of sin and the putrid odor of wasted and unfilled dreams.

Prayer becomes the sweet odor of a living sacrifice offered up to God as you worship Him on the altar of obedience. Build the altar of prayer now. Let your sin be consumed by the fire of His Spirit. Let your life become a sweet aroma as the smell of being with Him permeates your talk and your walk.

I come to You, Lord Jesus, in obedience, offering myself to You as a living sacrifice, that I may worship and serve You. As I pray, consume me with the fire of Your Spirit, that the odor of my life might be sweet to You and the scent of Your presence as a testimony for the lives of others. Amen.