14 day plan

Are We There Yet?

Day 8 of 14

NIV

James 5:16

16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Reflection:  Powerful Prayers

I’ve been battling stage 4 cancer for over five years, and it has been a strange dance – both wonderful in the richness of relationships and mission, and pretty ordinary with the medical stuff. But the dance is coming to an end. The reality of this is taking a while for me to get my head around – and many of you are to blame.

The reason is this: my wonderful friends (known and unknown) have been praying for me. I am totally convinced that it has been their prayers that have kept me alive. In a very real way, I have “surfed” on their prayers, felt their strength and known that they have kept me going in my ministry. I am so grateful. But here’s the thing: how does it end? As I write this, it looks as if I might finally be heading to the exit door. But I have become so used to being pulled back from the edge of death by the prayers of others, I’m not at all sure I will recognise when it is finally time to exit.

But this is my conviction: God, who has never failed me and who has always directed my life, will walk with me to the door… and to the new beginning.

The abiding truth I want to leave you with is this: prayer is powerful. I am grateful beyond words for those who have empowered my ministry with it.

Prayer:  Dear Lord Jesus, you have surrounded me with a wonderful team who have encouraged me, resourced me and loved me. Through their love, they have given me a tiny foretaste of your kingdom… and it’s beautiful. Thank you, Lord, for the faithful friends you’ve given me.

 

 

 

 

 

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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James 5:1-20

Warning to Rich Oppressors

1Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering

7Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

The Prayer of Faith

13Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

17Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

19My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.