A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, July 14
- ontrakk
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
James 5:13-20
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 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. 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. 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.
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. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
As I have gotten older, I have found prayer to be a more complex topic than a simpler, straightforward one. Prayer does not always lead to the delivery of all that we (think) we need. I should pray to grow closer to God, to improve my relationship with him, and to try to better understand His will for me. But in reality, my prayers are often said in moments and periods of fear and anxiety, and what I am seeking is relief and a sense of safety. I recently heard this concept:
God doesn't plan the problems, but He plans the provisions," or "God doesn't plan for bad things to happen, but He always has a plan for when they do.”
This idea really makes sense to me, and helps me to see God as my helper and my companion, through anything and everything. My prayers are a way for me to grow closer to God and to become better aligned with His will for me.
Holy Lord, I am grateful for our relationship, yet I want to make it better. Help me to look for your light on my path before stepping out. Amen
Becky, transforming
James 5:13-20
Prayer is powerful and is essential in connecting with God. It is how we cultivate our relationship with him. Prayer gives us strength, wisdom, comfort, peace, and helps us express gratitude. We pray when life is hard and we pray when life is good. God hears it all.
The words in these passages, “the Lord will rise them up” is an example for us, just as God lifts us up so should we lift up each other. It’s not about perfect words, just pray to make a difference.
Dear God, thank you for inviting me into Your presence. Please help me to seek You and to trust You. Please teach me to pray honestly and draw me closer…
James 5:13-20 Strength from Scripture
The prayer in tody's Upper Room asks for the wisdom to pry and the faith to trust in His mercy. The James verse encourages prayer. The title Strength from Scripture says i all. All our strength comes from His words, both God's and Jesus'. I really don't kow hoe I wold handle lifes transitions without the helo of scripture.
Prayer: Gracious God, I thank you for your words of wisdom that help me everyday. AMEN
James 5:13-20
The Book of James is a favorite of mine because of its down-to-earth, realistic practicality. Paul’s letters give us the essential theology behind the gospel, but James puts it into action. This famous section on prayer is a perfect example, particularly when he writes, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James does not say the prayer of a righteous person will always be answered exactly as prayed or that it will prevent all harm and unwanted outcomes. What we do know is that we are called upon by God to pray and through our prayers, we are connected to the power that controls the universe. As Becky has written, the ultimate plan for responding…