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Today's Scripture

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.
—James 5:13-16 (NIV)

Additionla Scripture 
-Colossians 1:9-14

 

Reflect on the Word

Our God is healer. Our God is the master reconciler. Our God is the lifter of the lowly and a Father to the fatherless.

As people of faith, we stand in the promises of the character of God, no matter what comes our way. James’ words are the antidote for how we commonly lose our way. Faith is not hopeful idealism—it is a reality practiced in community with others.

When we are in trouble, we need to pray together. When we are happy, we need to celebrate together. When we are sick, we need to contend in prayer together. When we stumble in sin, we must confess and receive mercy together.

Our faith was always meant to move us toward God and community, and as we do, we will find the truth of who He is.

Praying for others is one way we can possess land once held by the enemy. Whether or not the people we pray for ever walk through the doors of our church, whether or not we ever know if they come to accept Jesus—when we pray for their healing and lift them up before the Father, we bring them out of the territory of the enemy and into God’s territory. By offering hope and healing to those who find themselves in dark places, we bring the light of Christ to them and banish the power of the enemy.

 

Prayer + Contemplation

  1. Reflect on how God has healed you and lifted you up in the past. How might you share these stories with others to help them increase their faith?
  2. Pray that God would use you as an instrument of His healing as He sees fit. Ask Him to give you wisdom and discernment about how you can support God's healing work in the world.
  3. Create a list of those in your life who need a breakthrough of healing-whether physical, relational or emotional. Intercede for them, and look for opportunities to talk with them about our God who heals and lifts.