Should we pray to witches or mediums?

This morning in my daily bible reading I came across the story of Saul praying to a witch to channel the prophet Samuel up. He was surrounded by the Philistine army and he had prayed but received no answer from Jehovah God. So even though he had excommunicated all mediums and witches from Israel, he now disguises himself and finds a medium in order to channel Samuel.

Now as you read this story, the average believer is pretty astonished that Saul successfully channels up Samuel (and by the way, Samuel wasn't too happy that he disturbed him while he was in paradise). God is clear in the Old and New Testament that his people are not suppose to mess with mediums or witches, or any kind of occultic practice. So why did God let Samuel be channeled up from the dead by backslidden King Saul?

Well, it's a good question that I don't know if I have an answer for. But there are a few things I do know.
#1 - It was not by the power of Satan that Samuel was brought back or the powers of this woman. It was purely by God's power. Satan can only do what God allows him to do. "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world (Satan)."
#2 - God doesn't want us messing with witches or mediums because we could be possibly playing around with demonic powers. Our God is our provider and the answer for our every need. Satan can only do us evil and harm and God knows that. This is why God wants us to pray and turn to him rather than to mediums, witches, or occultic practices of any kind.
#3 - Thirdly, you and I can't always put God in a box. God chose to raise Samuel to teach Saul a lesson and to deliver him a message. The message was one that Saul did not want to hear. God basically disciplined Saul through the message and did not do what Saul wanted him to do because of his disobedience.

I am sure there are other lessons this story teaches. But the one important thing to remember from this lesson is look and pray to God to meet your needs. He will answer us according to his promises in His word.

-Pastor