Prayer

We have come to the beginning of the second half of the year and we pause to celebrate our God of mercy, grace and goodness.

We pause to acknowledge the Sovereignty of God, for He is the One and only One who gives us years. But I trust in You LORD; I say, You are my God. My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Psalm 31: 14 – 15.

We pause to give acclamation to our Omnipotent God, whose goodness and kindness over the past months have been unnumbered. Like the servants of God, who energetically and enthusiastically gave thanks to God, for the privilege of rebuilding the temple of the Lord, we too give thanks for this opportunity to renew our temples before God. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever. And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3: 11.

We pause to celebrate and show forth the Supreme unselfishness of our God, whose faithfulness to us has never failed. We look back on our Father in heaven, whose love and mercy have been without condition. Jesus has encouraged His followers, even you and me, to be kind to all, as our heavenly Father has been, That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5: 45 NKJV

Father, we thank You for this moment, this day, this time, for we owe our lives to You. Grant us the faith of our forefathers and mothers, ever working and ever maturing faith that we may be bold and faithful in learning to pray. Amen!

We have come to the first day of a new month with these questions. How can we all activate this faith-life as our parents of faith? How can we draw on it daily? How can we, in the midst of our trials, hardships and weakening moments, remain in our fathers' faith? Our answer lies in prayer to God. We now go to, Teachings on Prayer, by James.

Who is this James? This is how he introduces himself, in his letter of powerful, faith-engendering and faith-building words. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.  James 1: 1a. James has addressed his letter to the, twelve tribes which are scattered abroad.

The letter is one of encouragement, one that motivates and spurs all believers to persevere in their faith in the Lord. James knows that wherever the Church family is, wherever they have been scattered, they will be facing great persecutions and sufferings for the sake of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. This is natural and normal in this world of evil and sin, for Jesus warned His disciples about persecutions. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Mathew 10: 22. James, who himself knows hardships and suffering for the sake of Jesus, tells us that we are to persevere in doing the things which please God. It is from this faith-building, soul-stirring, patience-preserving and heart-uplifting letter, we fall upon what this servant of God and the Lord Jesus offers, about prayer and praying.

In the conclusion of this letter, James gives super encouraging and compelling advice on prayer. It’s as if he kept the best for last. However, for our own present, personal wonderings, misgivings and taunting minds, we stake ourselves on this verse. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5: 15 KJV

We continue tomorrow.