James 13-20 - Confession

Read the Passage

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 5

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. 17 Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.

19 My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Things to think about

James is speaking to a Church in general

When we are in pain pray for relief

When we are cheerful pray in thanksgiving and giglory to God

When we are sick pray with righteous people

Example of righteousness

Elijah was a righteous prophet whose prayers we supernaturally answered

Jesus also envoked this event in Luke 4:25

We need the right people to pray FOR us.

A righteous heart means more power and effective prayers.

The right tools for the Job

We can use a hammer for most jobs around the house

Beat a board to make it shorter

measure distance with a hammer

But a saw and a measuring tape woudl work much better and precise

Same with prayer

Don’t do this alone!

How and When do we pray?

At all times in all situations

Give thanks to God when thanks are due

Lament when appropriate

Confess when needed

We need each other

We need to have accountability

We need to have prayer warriors praying

Our faith is NOT private!

Is there anything in my life that needs confession and accountabliity?

Who can can I trust to walk me in this?