“Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” -James 5: 13-16
There is a great amount of anxiety in our world today, and it is easy to see why. The first few news stories on any of my news apps are troubling, to say the least. Afghanistan, political unrest in our country, the lingering effects of COVID-19, and arguments about masks and vaccines are just a few of the trials that seem to be at the center of our lives.
We experience anxiety, stress, and worry for many reasons, but perhaps the most significant reason is we are surrounded by circumstances that are beyond our control. We like to be in control. When things don’t go the way we would like, when people don’t think and behave the way we would like, we become frustrated. When these situations, that are beyond our control, continue to be present in our world, we feel powerless, helpless, and our anxiety grows deeper.
What do we, as a people of faith, do in times like these? As Thomas Paine once wrote, “These are times that try men’s (all) souls.” I believe that in times like this we are called to prayer. Prayer is a gift that draws us close to God. It allows us a quiet moment to lift our concerns before the creator of the universe, knowing that God listens to His creation. Prayer allows us the time to ask for the things we truly need, like wisdom (James 1: 5), peace (Philippians 4:7), healing (James 5:15), and comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). Prayer is a gift for the people of God because it lifts us from our helplessness and carries us to the One who can do more than we could possibly imagine.
We have the gift of prayer, let us use it for our world. I can think of no better way to be a good neighbor than to pray. We can pray for our family, friends, our church, our community and our world. We can pray for the sick and those who are powerless in their situations. We can pray for elected leaders. We can pray because, “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
