Today we’ll continue with some of your favorites (or the passages you have questions about). Email (andy@stm-umc.org) or message me with any passages you’d like added or that you have a question about!

Today we are looking at James 5: 16:

16 Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Today we have another reading in the wonderful book, James.  James just has some of the best stuff in the entire Bible. Today is a passage I’m sure you may have heard before, and if you are like me and tend to “hear” or remember the Bible in the voice of the King James, the prayer of the righteous availeth much.  

I’ll be honest with you; this is one of those passages that I do not fully understand.  I don’t understand how our prayers work.  I don’t.  I don’t fully understand the effect that our prayers have upon God.  I don’t fully understand how our prayers change things and the difference they can make in our lives and the lives of others.  I don’t understand the mystery of that.  But what I do know is that they do work. 

Prayer does change things. 

Prayer has a power.  Prayer moves mountains; prayer has the ability to produce miracles.  I don’t know how. But I know that it does. I’ve seen it. And I believe that it happens.  Today we see that the prayer of the righteous is prayer and effective.  

So, pray.  Pray for those who are sick.  Pray for the world.  Pray for the lost.  Pray for the church.  Pray for your enemies.  Pray for yourself.  Pray for your children.  

Pray.  

Your prayer matters.  Your prayer changes things.  We see that said, plain as day, here in the Bible today.  Pray.  It matters; it makes a difference.  Don’t doubt it, don’t quit it.  Just do it. 

Pray.  

And pay attention to what happens.  Keep up with your prayers and notice how they are answered.  You will see your prayers answered right in front of your face.  Pray.  It truly changes things.  

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