Pray and Praise

James lists some better uses of the tongue: praying, singing songs of praise, calling the elders to pray over sick people, and confessing our sins. Our focus should be on God whether we're in trouble, happy, or sick.

Confess your sins (offenses) to one another for a purpose of reconciliation. When we've done wrong to someone, we must go and ask him/her to forgive us. We believers are to humbly acknowledge our faults and weaknesses so that we may pray for one another (intercessory prayers). Unconfessed sin makes our soul sick and often our body, too.

God answers believing prayer (prayer in faith without doubting) but not always the way we want or expect. All prayer, including prayer for healing, is subject to the will of God. We must trust God, His will, His wisdom, and His timing. He loves us and knows what's best for us! "If Jesus heals you instantly, praise Him. If you are still waiting for healing, trust Him. Your suffering is your sermon." (Max Lucado) We (Christ's followers) will one day be ultimately healed (there's no pain/sickness in Heaven). 

The Greek word for "power", "fervent", "effective" in verse 16 is energeo (energetic). The prayer of a righteous person (who is justified by the righteousness of Christ) is working because it is energized by the Holy Spirit, thus his/her prayer is according to God's will and such prayer cannot fail. "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15) 

Prayer is not about words but rather the attitude of the heart and the condition of the soul that enjoy dwelling in God's presence. Prayer is pouring our heart out to our Heavenly Father, in love, in faith, in humble submission, and in gratitude. Pray earnestly without ceasing. Pray first and pray most. Let's take full advantage of this amazing privilege God has given us! Even though we know His will prevails and He knows all our needs, God desires that we come to Him in prayer because it's a relationship thing. "The purpose of prayer is that we get a hold of God, not of the answer." (Oswald Chambers) He wants us to rely on Him, look to Him for fresh supplies of grace & mercy to sustain us, strengthen us, and keep us to the end, and keep our hearts and mind focused on Him...on His purpose.  We find shelter, rest, comfort, strength, joy, peace, encouragement, and assurance in sweet communion with our Father. Our attitude regarding praying should always be "not my will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42b). Praying draws us closer to God, and through prayer, God molds our heart's desires and our thoughts to be like His. Let us be thankful that God's answers are always wiser than our prayers!

"We speak. He listens. He speaks. We listen. This is prayer in its purest form. God changes His people through such moments...Just as a happy child cannot mis-hug, the sincere heart cannot mis-pray. Heaven knows, life has enough burdens without the burden of praying correctly. If prayer depends on how I pray, I'm sunk. But if the power of prayer depends on the One who hears the prayer, and if the One who hears the prayer is my Daddy, then I have hope." (Max Lucado)

"Prayer should be...constant, fervent, believing, hopeful, and incessant. God loves it, Satan hates it, and every true Christian values it. True prayer is always necessary, profitable and acceptable to God." (James Smith) 

"Be thou content to leave thy prayer in His hands, Who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give, and what to withhold." (Charles H. Spurgeon)

"In Jesus' name we voice our prayers--
The Bible tells us to;
But may we never use that name
To tell God what to do." (D. De Haan)

Prayer: Father, I'm so thankful that I can come to You anytime, anywhere and tell you about anything. I'm so glad that You never get tired of listening to my prayers and that You're always available. Please continue to transform my heart and mind, my desires and will to be like Yours. Thank You for being my Refuge, Strength, and Ever-present Help in time of need! Thank You for all my brothers and sisters in Christ around the world! Please draw us closer to You, help us to know You more & love You more, and enable us to love one another and others like You do. Please make us people of prayer and bring revival among Your children! In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.