September 25th, 2025
The Power of Prayer
James 5:13-16
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
Prayer is our direct line of communication with God, and as today's reading shows, it's powerful and effective. This week's sermon emphasized that prayer is not just a part of our spiritual strategy, it is the strategy. After putting on the full armor of God, we're called to pray.
Reflect on your prayer life. Is it consistent? Do you pray "on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests," as Paul instructs in Ephesians? Often, our biggest spiritual battle is simply making time to pray. Today, challenge yourself to increase your prayer time. Start with small, achievable goals - maybe it's setting aside 5 extra minutes in the morning, or pausing to pray briefly throughout your day. Remember, prayer isn't about eloquent words or length - it's about honest communication with your Heavenly Father. Pray for yourself, for other believers, and for opportunities to share God's love with others. As you cultivate a habit of prayer, watch how God works in and through you.
Posted in Daily Devos