Sunday, September 27
Prayer & Healing
Speaker: David Wagner
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” - James 5:16 (NLT)
Devotional
James finishes this gut punch of a letter with a call to prayer. Prayer must surround every activity in the life of a follower of Jesus. We must never tire of it. Whether we are happy or sad, energetic or weary, living in abundance or scarcity, prayer must be the constant; the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. In this passage, James mentions anointing oil, which is a sign of God's longing to heal people. N.T. Wright says, “heaven and earth meet, in the spirit, when someone calls on the name of the Lord”. In the face of violence and injustice, James calls the Church to earnestly pray for the healing power of God to manifest amongst us.
Discussion
Do you find that you pray more when you are happy and thankful or when you are in need? Why do you think that is?
Why do you think James tells us to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other in a discussion about healing?
Do you see any connection between James’ instructions about prayer coming right after a passage about how we must be patient in times of suffering?
Prayer
If the ascended Christ and the Holy Spirit are interceding for us (Romans 8:34; 8:26-27), and James calls to the simple earnest prayer of abiding faith...why are we still so hesitant to earnestly pray? Ask God to bolster your faith so that you and your community can pray bold prayers of faith.
Practice prayers that seem too large or overwhelming (for racial injustice in our country, for the violence in Chicago, etc.). Take heart, beloved of God, for nothing is too impossible for our God.
Practice
Daily Prayer Guide
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running in light of your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running in light of your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running in light of your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running in light of your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running in light of your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings
Prayer of Examen
Invite God into your prayer and ask for the grace to see yourself honestly as you review your day using the five steps below as a guide. Meditate on your responses or journal as you move through the reflections.
- Express gratitude
- Review the day
- Name your sorrows
- Seek forgiveness
- Ask for grace for tomorrow
Weekly Prayer
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running in light of your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.