James 5:13;16b, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
The theme of handling trials with patience and endurance, showing mercy over judgment, being a doer of God’s Word, not just a hearer, and taming the tongue has been taught throughout the book of James. Endurance and perseverance with self-control are involved and results in having patience. Ultimately, the best way to address these issues in life is prayer and praise to the Lord, as James teaches in James 5:13-18. I don’t think I fully realize the power of prayer. Do you?
James says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Thought, do I always ask for God’s wisdom and thoughts to be mine in a given situation before I respond or act? No, too often, the ego is triggered by being offended, and a peaceful response does not overflow. Psalm 139:2 states, “You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” Therefore, “God, how do you discern my thoughts and what do you see right now? I am struggling with a situation. It is hard when I feel my values are being ignored. I want my thoughts to be your thoughts. Help me.” That has been my prayer and struggle this week as I have conversed with God. I feel like I am in an in-between place in life. Certain things are out of my control.
Jesus promises us in Matthew 21:22, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Jesus is perfecting your (my) faith (Hebrews 12:2), so keep your eyes on Him when going through a trial. Think about that for a minute. What are you asking God for that only He can do? Your prayer has great power as you stand before Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The NIV version states James 13 this way, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” Then verse 16b declares, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Jon Courson’s Application Commentary states, “What if we really believed this? What if we said, “I’m not going to speak so much or so quickly. I’m not going to hold a grudge against people even if I feel they’re afflicting me. Instead, I’m going to pray”? What a simple, workable, radical idea James presents to us. . . our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12).”
Pray and sing praise regarding your high position in God. Take pride in that (James 1:9). You have dignity before God because He knows your name (Isa. 43:1). What we have in Jesus Christ far outweighs any worldly position and that is where our identity resides. There is power working that you can’t even see due to your prayers, and they are effective, and are working, due to your righteousness in Christ. “A new personal vision statement to remind yourself each day: I am dispatched by the Holy Spirit, on kingdom assignments, to be light in a darkened world, so others can see Jesus.” Louie Giglio, p.189, Don’t Give the Enemy A Seat At Your Table. It’s Time To Win The Battle Of Your Mind. There you go. Keep your focus, keep your eyes on Jesus.
Listen to Unspoken-God Help Me Now-Lyric Video (1 month ago).