Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Beyond the Gospels: James

Today's Scripture: James 5:13-20
[Click the Scripture reference above to read online.]

Pray. Pray. Pray.
Pray when you're in trouble.
Pray songs of praise when you're happy.
Ask others to pray for you when you're sick.
Confess your sins, one to another, and pray for healing.
Pray. Pray. Pray.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well...
James 5:15

The Greek translated as sick in this verse is a very general term meaning to grow weary, be weary, to be sick (Enhanced Strong's Lexicon). We know there are all sorts of sicknesses which make us weary. We can be spiritually soul-sick and emotionally heart-sick. Physical sickness wears us out, as well as relational sickness. And what we find here, in these verses, is the cure for every sickness. Prayer in Jesus's name by the power of the Holy Spirit makes the sick person well. 

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

Any follower of Jesus is considered righteous. So you brother or sister in Christ, you fellow disciple of Jesus are righteous and have effective power when you pray in His character by His Spirit. Those wandering from the truth are soul-sick. Pray for them. Ask God to bring them back. Do not neglect the call to pray. Do not underestimate the power of your prayers.

Pray. Pray. Pray.
Amen. Let it be so.

Today is the last day of James. And I leave you with the challenge to pray.
There is no closing prayer added to this devotional. I'm blessing you with an opportunity to exercise your power of prayer.
You close in prayer to the Father as the Spirit leads in Jesus's name.

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