Good morning! Have you prayed a prayer that was answered? Have you prayed lately? Today in our reading in James chapter we are reminded to pray, praise, and remain in faith. Join me as we continue our reading. Have a wonderful day and enjoy the Labor Day weekend.

Bible Verse – James 5:13-18 NLT

“¹³ Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.  ¹⁴ Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

¹⁶ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.  ¹⁷ Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!  ¹⁸ Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

Reflection

James was careful to address the sensitivity to a believer’s needs and the earnest but humble request for a believer’s needs.

He asked three questions in these verses:

• Are any of you suffering hardships?
• Are any of you happy?
• Are any of you sick?

Throughout these verses James gave the recommendation for us to pray, praise, and ask for prayer.

The one thing that I found interesting in my studies was the Greek word for sick that was used. In verse 14, the Greek word is asthenei which means to be weak. In verse 15, the Greek word is kamnonta is sick person which means to be weary.

James was aware of the state of the church and believers. He knew there were struggles, but he knew the weak and weary needed to be refreshed, encouraged, prayed for and strengthened in their faith. This was a call for the church to help the sick (weak and weary) believers by praying for them, anointing them with oil for healing of their very souls – spiritual restoration and healing.

Sisters and brothers, there is power in prayer. Keep praying. Pray for others. Don’t forget to praise God for answering prayers.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for your love toward us. We thank you for being our rock and our fortress. Thank you for giving us the ability to pray to you and know that you hear us. Thank you for answering our prayers (big and small). Thank you for restoring us when we were weak and weary, and prone to temptation and sin. Lord, thank you for bringing other Christians to pray for us and help restore our faith and relationship with you. Lord, continue to help us where and when we are spiritually weak. Lord, give us the strength to turn away from sin.

Lord, we pray for those who are physically sick and weak. Lord, continue to heal them and give them the strength.

Lord, be with everyone traveling and/or celebrating the holiday weekend. Lord, keep them safe. Lord, we lift up those who are in need – hear their prayers today and continue to be faithful in Your response. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

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