James 5:13-18 (NIV)

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.

Reflection

Who do you turn to when things in your life become out of control? What do you do when you are happy? How about when you are sick? The answer to these questions all point towards God who is in control over everything and who deserves all of our worship. God remains constant through every circumstance that we encounter. As a church, we are to be a people of prayer in every instance of life. Our God, who is faithful, will hear our prayers and will pour out His Holy Spirit on us. We are to go to Him in both good times and bad, coming before Him individually and corporately. As a church, we are to pray over the sick and pray for one another. Like Elijah, let’s pray earnestly and constantly as we wait on the Lord with all kinds of requests.

Response

Isn’t it wonderful to know that we can turn to the Lord and pray in every circumstance. Whenever we turn to Him, He will pour out His Holy Spirit on us. Let’s cling on to His Word, that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. With this confidence, let’s spend some time praying over any personal concerns that we may have. Nothing is too small or too big to bring it before the Lord. Let’s ask for His will to be done in our lives.