The Sin of Prayerlessness

‘God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.”

1 Sam. xii. 24.

How few of us have placed prayerlessness among our possible sins! And how even fewer have placed the omission to pray for others in the black list of sins against the holy Lord! We have called it thoughtlessness, or negligence, or even apathy, but we have not called it sin. But how this word sin, as used in this unfamiliar relationship, broadens and deepens the ministry and obligation of prayer! My needy brother has a right to my prayers. They are to be regarded as part of his capital strength. They constitute a part of the forces which were purposed to make him victorious in all the battle of life. My prayers for him are part of his army. I control some of his vital equipment. Without my co-operation in

51 prayer lie is weakened and maimed. If I refuse him my prayers I deprive Mm of so much of his heritage. I defraud him. I wrong him in a far more deadly manner than if I refused to pay a material debt. I disclaim my spiritual debts, and he is impoverished in the central resources of the soul. I help him into moral bankruptcy by depriving him of his sacred dues. Thus do I wrong my brother, and thus do I sin against God.

All this, I say, is a very lofty conception of the obligation of prayer. It is something we owe to others, and if we refuse to pay we leave them poor indeed. On the other hand, how uplifting is the conception that by my prayers I am increasing a [man’s moral capital. I am helping him to mobilise his spiritual forces. I am sending him army corps to enable him to meet his enemy at the gate and overthrow him. I may share in his warfare, and I may rejoice and glory in his triumph.