“Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven – healed inside and out.” – James 5:13 MSG
James reiterates the power of prayer… and the reason that it’s the go-to for Christians in all circumstances. Not just in some, but all. It’s our starting point. It’s how we fight our battles, strengthening us to pick up our sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God – and begin to battle it out from a position of strength.
It’s also our ending point – in the sense of whatever brings celebration should also originate with prayer.
He’s deserving of our acknowledging Him through the expression of all our emotions…and all circumstances that we bring before Him…even in sickness.
So often when it comes to healing, it’s easy to look at the outward appearance. Where people can physically see that healing has been accomplished. But all healing originates inside and then out. It’s seen all throughout the gospels, where Jesus address faith /heart issues before outward change. May we crave the inward change more than we crave the outward, as we surrender it all before Him.
As a declaration, let’s pray Psalm 16(msg) today:
“Keep me safe, O God, I’ve run for dear life to you. I say to God, “Be my Lord!” Without you, nothing makes sense.
And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make!
Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I’ll never treat god-names like brand-names.
My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!
The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart. Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.
I’m happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed. You canceled my ticket to hell— that’s not my destination!
Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.”
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