Today's devo is taken from James 5:13-16 (NIV):
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.I had an incredibly short post on prayer before, I think I was kind of mad at the time. I apologize, so let me add some more on prayer.
This is pretty much what James ends off on in his letter, I don't know who his target audience is or was, but there is a lot you can learn from his letter. I would consider it something akin to the "Proverbs" of the NT, as he covers a wide multitude of topics.
It's so great how he speaks of prayer, that we should truly pray in all circumstances. There is no doubt that this part: James 5:13-20 deals about prayer. If you're in trouble, pray for deliverance (exams, anyone?). If you're sick? Pray for healing. If you are happy? Sing songs of praise! It even goes on to give the example about Elijah and how righteous prayer can cause droughts and rain.
There's also another part to this: That is COMMUNITY. Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another to be healed. Does this healing have to do with physical health or spiritual?
I'll leave that to you. In any case, we are to be open with one another, and pray for each others' vulnerabilities.
So my challenge to you is two part:
1. Pray more, because prayer is key. Speak to God and listen to Him as He works in your life.
2. Be open with your brothers and sisters. Let us build each other up to be a community of valiant Christian warriors that can boldly and fearlessly proclaim His good message.
-Richard
5 comments:
Awesome Devo
Reminds me of how we should spur each other on... for rbk, and just for good sharing time with each other.
I wanna try something either at retreat or just find a day.. that we can do a 24 hour prayer. I think it would be cool if we can do that.
Jon rbk (0,1)
Pray Continually
~1 Thess 5:17
Prayer IS key.
In an effort to open up / break the ice & confess to one another... I'd ask you guys to pray for something that I feel is... pretty vulnerable for myself I suppose.
Actually I'll save it for men's group monday. It's pretty sensitive. Or... talk to me in person. Yeah. I'm such a tease.
- Jono (0.0) arg help meeee. i hate the internet.
i'm sorry for lacking in regards to this blog but i promise everyone and you can confront me and encourage me to step it up.
but yeah i also have something to confess to you guys but i rather do it in person so speak to me or i'll do it at retreat.
howard (1,3)
Richarddd, good devo. I like the idea of a transparent group that prayers feverishly... that prays together and for another. I hope with the upcoming retreat and all, we can bond and begin to really really let our guards down and open up. Let's keep the RBK going guys, 40 days anyone?? for LENT?
Brian Yee --> rbk (5,0)
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