James. A 21-day reading plan by Doxa Deo.Sample

 James 5:13-20 (ESV) Is anyone among you suffering?  Let him pray.  Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick?  Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.  And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Pray. Sing praise, Pray. Pray. 

Sounds like a good strategy. We often neglect our prayer life and in the process fail to access the incredible power of prayer. James says our prayers have “great power”.

How consistent is your prayer life? Scripture is full of encouragement to pray continuously. 

In Ephesians 6:18 (MSG), Paul says “God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters.”

Reflection:

Which areas of your life need “great power”? How can you pray strategically into these areas?

Are you planted in a life-giving church where mature believers can pray with you?