1 Samuel 12:23 (NKJV)
“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.”

There are two important pillars that create transformation, whether at an individual or a community level, and the first of these is intercessory prayers. We are called to constantly pray for change. Intercessors do not stop praying until change comes. It might take years, but they do not stop. This is a noble assignment, but not everyone feels called to this.

Samuel said, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” Stopping his prayers for the people, meant sinning against the Lord. God and the people were counting on Samuel’s prayers, and he knew this. It’s incredible to think that God Himself is counting on our prayers for our generation. This is divine partnership.

Intercessors take personal responsibility for change. Intercessors cry day and night for heaven to visit Earth. They are usually not very fun people to be around because they always seem to carry some kind of burden, most of the time. Their emotions always seem tied in with some situation that needs urgent change.

Intercessors are laborers. They take their labor with God as a divine assignment. They see this as a calling – the call to change the world on their knees. They see the corruption and evil around them, and their hearts seem constantly broken. They cannot enjoy this world as it is because they know this is not God’s best.

They cry for more. They want to see heaven on earth. One propelling vision for them is, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” They follow the Lord’s prayer and want to see it become reality. Heaven on earth is the mantra for this tribe of workers.

In the NLT rendition, Samuel said, “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you.” Intercessors take their calling personally. They do not compel others to join them, but whether others pray or not, they cannot stop praying.

I plead with you: if you are called as an intercessor, endure and press in. Our world needs you!