Read James 5:13-20

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.

Reflect

Prayer is one of the most amazing resources available to us as Christians. We have the incredible privilege and opportunity to converse with God anywhere, at any time, about anything, and we have assurance that our prayers are being heard. The line of communication is always open, and the power of sincere prayer is unlimited.

Respond

Keeping in mind that prayer is our conversation with God, make a conscious effort today to pause in the busyness of your day to communicate with him. Whisper a word of thanks, silently ask for help with a difficult situation, meditate a moment on the beauty of creation, or breathe a request for wisdom or direction. You may discover in a new way that prayer does indeed have the power to change things.