Practical Instructions For Your Daily Life JourneySample

CONFESSION & PRAYER will result in HEALING & DELIVERANCE

As James brings his epistle to a conclusion, he turns his attention to believers in a church setting who are suffering (v. 13), sick (vv. 14-18) and backslidden (vv. 19-20). To effectively deal with sickness among believers, James proposes two things: the confession of faults to one another and praying for one another.

Confession of faults to one another is necessary if there is to be healing since many sicknesses originate as a result of sin. If one sins against an individual, confession should be made to that individual. When there is trouble between individuals, they should get together and ask for pardon, and do all in their power to make things right (restitution).

We should not only confess our sins to one another, but we should pray for one another as well. As per James, in order for our prayers to be effective and powerful, we should meet the following five conditions:

1. We should become righteous before God. This happens when we repent, confess, turn away from our sins, and live righteously.

2. We should pray fervently. For our prayers to be heard and answered, we should pray with passion, sincerity, diligence and discipline.

3. We should pray effectively. For our prayer to be effective, we should expect results as we pray.

4. We should pray specifically. Our prayers should be specific and to the point. This was how Elijah prayed - specifically, first for a drought then for rain.

5. We should pray based on God’s Word. We are required to pray in accordance with God’s will, just like Elijah prayed based on God’s directive.

Confession and prayer will result in healing and deliverance! Effective prayer is characterized by the earnestness, fervency, and energy exhibited by a righteous man/woman in Christ. Prayer is powerful when we have faith, ask earnestly and boldly as we persevere and surrender to God’s perfect will. God longs to meet with us and show His power in our lives. Prayer is really a child’s helpless cry to the father’s attentive ears. When we are helpless and cry out to our heavenly Father, He will hear and answer us speedily!