"The Prayer of Faith"
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
The title of our last blog entry of the summer is so perfect. "The Prayer of Faith" To appeal with assurance to our Savior. It is a great conclusion to James' challenging and comforting book. I hope you will be as encouraged as I am through the last verses we will review this summer.
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
I found the references to characteristics of the person presenting the prayer in verses 15 and 16 intriguing. Verse 15 says that "Prayer offered in faith will make a sick person well- the Lord will raise them up!" And in verse 16 ... "confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed," and lastly, "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Hopelessness is not an option for a follower of Christ. When one confesses their sins, and has faith in Christ as their personal savior, their prayers are not only heard, but answered. Just as it is written in John 9:31, "31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will." Our reassurance is solidified in Psalm 50:15,"15 call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Verses 17 and 18 remind us that we, mere mortals, have access to the power of God. If we pray earnestly, or seriously, our prayers will be answered. God can and will do miraculous things as exhibited in Elijah's situation. Can you imagine it not raining for three and 1/2 years? Well, all of you in Texas may be thinking it is possible after these drought filled couple of years, but really- never a drop? And then when the request was presented, a rain shower poured down from heaved that produced a harvest. Believe God when He says He answers prayer. And when you forget His faithfulness, open his Word and read account after account of His provision and answered prayers. I can reflect over my short life and see many Elijah moments and in my minuscule life those times seemed as important as a 3 year drought. Do you have a story of His provision for you?
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Verse 19 is sometimes hard to live out. When you see a brother or sister in Christ choosing the wrong path, it is often hard to go and confront them. We consider that we may come across as being hypocritical or that we will be received with contempt. This practice is so important as evidenced in the scriptures devoted to the task of keeping each other in communion with Christ. Galatians 6:1 gives us guidance in how to hold another accountable..."6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted." As does Matthew 18:15 "15 If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." And finally, 1 Peter 4:8, "8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." As addressed in the above scriptures, the meeting with a brother or sister in need of redirecting should be first and foremost be handled with true motivation from the Holy Spirit. It should also be done with caution, to protect oneself from temptation. Lastly, it should occur in a private setting with the purpose being to restore the brother or sister in a gentle, loving way. In doing so, if the brother or sister turns back to Christ they will be saved "from death."
Verse 19 reminds me of someone special in my life that has "found the truth." And if she wanders from it- please direct her back!! Just last week something breath taking happened at our house. Our eldest daughter reserved her spot in Heaven. :-) I was out running errands and received a text from my husband that our daughter just accepted Christ as her Savior. When I arrived home I received all of the beautiful details from my sweet husband. Our eldest was peppering him with questions about good and evil. Salvation and eternity. My husband was impressed with her deep questions and answered them. Before he could tuck her in for the night she said that she wanted to ask Jesus to live in her heart forever and for Jesus to forgive her for her sins. Then she asked my husband to step out into the hall because she wanted some privacy with Jesus while she confessed and asked Him to save her... ;-) He came back in after she called and talked with her more about her newly solidified salvation. I can't think of a moment more precious in her beautiful life than this moment of deliverance. As parents, we were beyond excited. We know that this is the first step in her journey with Christ. Today we had the opportunity to celebrate her salvation by baking a white cake to symbolize her purity (so appropriate for a girl who's name means purity already- she is fulfilling her God given destiny). We invited one of her friends over to play and help us bake. Unbeknownst to us- her little friend had asked Jesus in her heart this summer as well! What a sweet time of celebration we had today. It gives a new meaning to the phrase "best friends forever."
Girls, this summer has been so quick, but very purposeful. God has used this season to create in me more self discipline and has poured into me more knowledge in His truth. Self discipline and biblical knowledge are two things that I strongly desired and prayed for in the Spring. God delivers... :-) I am so grateful that many of you have read, studied, and prayed. God speaks to those who listen and seek Him. Thank you for your obedience in doing so... Thank you also for encouraging me and cheering me on when I have felt stumped, slowed, or empty. God has filled my vessel and it is overflowing. His blessings are immense- I am so humbled and grateful.
To those of you that are local: I invite you to join us at Soul Sisters at Valley Creek church this fall. You can find more information about this bible study that reaches all ages and backgrounds of women from various denominations at http://valleycreek.org/ministries/women-soul-sisters/. The first meeting will be the second week in September. Looking forward to connecting with many of you then!
Until next summer...many blessings to you!
In Him,
M
No comments:
Post a Comment