The blessing of prayer

James 5:16 (NKJV)

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

The apostle directs Christians to confess their sins, weaknesses, and faults to those who they trust and know have their best interest at heart. They are to do so that they may pray for one another; lifting up to God the issues before them and asking for God’s healing power to be laid upon them.  The apostle then tells us the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man has power that produces wonderful results.

There is a saying I have heard many times, “Secrets kill while honesty heals.” Often people will hold secrets to themselves of things they are doing for which they are ashamed. Instead of reaching out to someone they can trust - they allow the shame of the secret to control them. Addicts often fall into this trap in that they find themselves on a road to destructive behaviors and instead of seeking advice, seeking out someone who can help, they hold their misery inside.  This does nothing more than to create shame and a repeated pattern of self-destruction.

When we confess our problems to someone wise and trustworthy - those burdens are often lifted from us. We are no longer trying to hold on by ourselves and instead we now have someone helping us hold on. So many times when I’m struggling in life I ask people to pray for situations and problems in my life. There are many people who are faithful to do so and I so often see the good results of their prayers. I am always thankful for those who pray because I know they are reaching out to God for help.

In the same way when someone asks me to pray or I see a person seeking someone to pray for them - I am more than willing to pray with and for them. It is through prayer that we join in fellowship with God. Prayers are how we communicate to God our needs, our thanks, and our feelings.

There is no correct posture for prayer. The Bible tells us people bowed to pray, they kneeled to pray, they laid flat to the ground to pray and they also stood to pray. However you feel comfortable and less distracted to pray, do so. Some closed their eyes while others looked up to the heavens. Prayers do not need to be wordy or filled with elegant words. Prayers are opening our most inward being to God and saying what is on our heart. Prayers help us to grow closer and more intimately to God.

Some people may say, “I don’t know how to pray.” The Bible tells us when we don’t know the words to say, The Holy Spirit speaks on our behalf. Romans 8:26-27, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.” When you are sure how to pray begin by saying, “Father, please help me with what I need to say.”

Lord this morning I pray for those holding onto secrets that are painful and destructive. I pray Father you would lift those burdens from them and allow them to seek the help they need. Father I pray for your blessings to be pour out on those who seek you, your guidance and help. Father touch lives with your love, mercy and grace. These things I pray in the name of your precious son Jesus Christ. Amen.