One of the great privileges we have as leaders is to pray for those entrusted to our care. When the Israelites asked Samuel to pray for them, he responded, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you” (1 Sam. 12:23). Leadership and prayer must go together.

As Samuel neared the end of his life, he delivered a speech to his people (1 Sam. 12). He exhorted them to remember God’s faithfulness in delivering them from their enemies. Yet, the Israelites were prone to forget the Lord. Sound familiar? Living a life of praise and thanksgiving helps us to remember God. As we acknowledge his faithful involvement in our lives in the past, we are more likely to recognize His activity in the present and to trust that He will work out His plans in the future.

Steve Farrar, in his book “Finishing Strong,” bemoans the fact that many Christian leaders start well, but do not finish in the same way. Samuel rose to prominence as a leader in Israel at a very young age. Near the end of his life, he asked the people if he had done anything wrong during his years as their leader (1 Sam. 12:1-5). They acknowledged that he had led with integrity from start to finish. Wow! What a testimony! I strongly desire to run each lap of the race well.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).