This post is part of the series His Encouragement
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Welcome! Welcome, dearest friends, to His Encouragement: Biblical Inspiration for Your Thursday. Every week, I join a few blogging friends to bring you a Bible passage and a little hope-filled discussion. We pray that these devotionals help you end your week strong in God’s love and purpose for you.
Today’s Scripture
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. […] The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:13, 16, ESV
The book of James is an amazing book, packed full of practical teachings on Christian living. Some even refer to it as the Proverbs of the New Testament.
While it may not be as overtly theological – like Romans, for example – much of the writings are easily understood and so sensible that we can apply them to our lives immediately.
The author of the book talks about many different areas of life and has a way of getting straight to the heart of the issues: our motives and intent. He talks about hypocrisy, favoritism, jealousy, gossip, and so many other sins that are all too often common among the brethren… especially today.
But even though our sins are pointed out and admonished swiftly, the book of James does something that I deeply appreciate: it reminds us of the power of prayer.
Is prayer a platitude?
All too often, prayer is dismissed. I have seen today how many now view the offer of prayer as a mere platitude… and rightly so, because in many cases, we say things like: “I’ll pray for you.” or “I’ll pray about that”.
And we never do.
Shame on us! Prayer is one side of the double-edged sword of spirituality. It is our life-preserver in the turbulent seas of life; our communication with the Almighty Creator of the heavens and the earth; and our conversation with our great Redeemer and Friend.
I know I do not pray enough. Sometimes when things happen, I may even forget to pray until later on. But the Lord is still working on me. I want prayer – going to my Heavenly Father for peace, comfort, and guidance – to be the first thing I do, not the last resort.
There is power in prayer
Also, I want to end the cycle of trite prayer “wishes”. If someone is in need of prayer, I am going to stop and pray right then and there. No more half-hearted “I’ll pray for you” comments without any genuine follow up from me.
What about you? James calls us all to pray and sing praises, and he reminds us of the true power in prayer. Let’s come boldly to our Lord in prayer!
What verse has touched your heart this week? Share in the comments below!
Be sure to also visit my fellow bloggers and read their encouragement for your Thursday as well:
- Trisha of Joy of Reading
- Nicole of The Christian Fiction Girl
- Jessica of A Baker’s Perspective
- Becca of The Becca Files
- Gina of Stories by Gina
- Rev. Rebecca Writes
Hi there, blogger. Would you like to join us in sharing encouragement from the Word of God every Thursday? Don’t be shy! Contact Trisha or Nicole today!
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Continue reading this series:
His Encouragement: New Every Morning
I’ve been struggling with the fact I say I’m going to pray then never do. So, I too, have started praying right then and there. Life gets so busy so fast. I don’t want to say one thing but do something else. It’s not fair to the person who needs prayer.
I can relate! For the last few years, my memory has gotten a bit wonky so even when I really mean it, about half the time I will forget if I don’t stop and pray right away.
I used to be nervous to pray immediately, with the person and in public, but now that I’m a Mom, I find myself not hesitating like I did before.
Love this!! This is something I’ve been convicted of myself in the past and so I’ve made it a point if I see someone asking for prayer I do it right then and there so I won’t forget. If I can’t write it down I don’t always remember and I don’t want to flippantly say I am without honestly going to the Lord for them. This is a wonderful post today thanks for sharing!! <3
❤️ The Lord has been impressing upon me to do the same! I started being more intentional about it a few weeks ago and it has made a big difference already.
Yes, I too have had to intentionally decide to stop and pray right then and there. Because I found that I would forget, and I don’t want to forget.
❤️