2 Samuel 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
David, his family, and his kingdom faced a tragic situation in 2 Samuel 15. Due to David’s sin, and unresolved conflict in the family (both are important insights we could study), Absalom, David’s son, had just staged a coup. As time progressed, the rebellion only grew stronger. Soon, David and his people had to escape the royal city for their lives.
As David fled, someone came to him and said, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators…” When David heard this, he knew that there was another level of danger to him, his family, and to the kingdom. Having Ahithophel on your side was worth hundreds, if not thousands of men. Scripture Itself tells us that when you asked Ahithophel for counsel, it was literally like asking counsel from the oracle of God. Further, Ahithophel knew David enough to counsel to his defeat. And Ahithophel was now part of the rebellion that soughtDavid’s life and kingdom.
In the midst of fleeing, mourning, and all the chaos, when David heard this thing regarding Ahithophel, David stopped and prayed a simple 12-word prayer that made all the difference. David simply prayed, “O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” We see in the very next verse, the answer to that prayer came in the form of another counselor that would infiltrate the rebellion, defeat Ahithophel’s counsel, and save the kingdom.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
I’m reminded of the Lord’s desire for us in 1 Thessalonians5:17 where He tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” While it’s one of the shortest verses in Scripture, if lived, it will be one of the most impactful. The Lord wants us not to just have a prayer time, but a life of prayer, a spirit of prayer, and a tendency toward prayer throughout our day. I wonder how many opportunities to see the Lord move we’d experience if we’d implement this truth?
In 2023, one of my goals is to have a better, more effective prayer life. I believe this is implemented through a consistent, purposeful, daily prayer time. But also, and possibly as important, is to have a spirit of communion with the Lord that pauses for prayer at any time and looks to Him more often.
Let’s “pray without ceasing”—in trials, in good times, in uncertainty, in need, in intercession, in thought, or maybe for no reason at all, other than to speak to the Lord. We might just tap into the riches, resources, and power of God in a way we haven’t before—for our good, and His glory.
