Prayer, Part I, October 29, 2008

Prayer, Part I, October 29, 2008

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:13-16

Father, Your word teaches that when we suffer, or when we pray, or when we are cheerful and singing unto You, or when we are sick, we should turn to believers, to our pastors that they might pray over us and for us, laying on hands of assurance and compassion.

You then teach us that the prayers of believers have power, that there is a miraculous strength in one believer praying for the needs of another person. Father, lead us, today, to trust in the power of prayer. It is Your stated desire that we bring our concerns and needs to You and that You want to bless us for doing so. What a wonderful truth when You say, "the prayers of a righteous man availeth much". Help us to be a prayerful, righteous person, seeking to serve You and intervening for the needs of others.

We know Jesus that our perspective regarding eternal matters is limited and that You see the picture in its completed entirety. Help us not to feel disappointed when our prayers are not answered in what we feel is the right way. We trust that You know each of us and our circumstances. We pray that Your will, not ours, with our limited view, be done. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.

Bruce Caldwell