Dear Disciple,
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is 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. And 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. Therefore 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.” James 5:13-16
Your Master Jesus is determined to shape you, His disciple, to become like Himself. However He accomplishes this in you, I have every confidence that your growth will be born and nurtured in prayer. As our ancient brother James wrote, your trouble, happiness, and even sickness can be lifted up to Father in trust. And these offerings in prayer don’t have to be lifted up to Father in solitude. In sickness, call on your elders that they might anoint and intercede for you. If caught in sin, confess it to your brothers and sisters that they might pray for your healing.
As a disciple, and as a part of the community of disciples, you have access to a power that is difficult to even comprehend: the power of prayer. God is alive, and He is near. He answers His faithful ones who call out to Him. His ear is attentive (Psalm 34:15), and His arm is long enough to save (Isaiah 59:1).
May this year be a year of prayer for you, Disciple. May your grow in your intimacy with our Father through the Spirit. May your experience the power and effectiveness of prayer that moves the hand of the Mighty One. For His own reasons, He has delegated a great power to us in prayer, and He delights to respond to our requests as we partner with Him in the great work of the new creation. He will move, but He often requires that we ask Him and truly trust that He will do it. May the wonder of this reality fill you more and more throughout this year.
As we grow in prayer together, Disciple, we will become more powerful and effective in every other way, for we will be more attuned to the Spirit who empowers and guides us. Nothing will be impossible for us, for nothing is impossible for our God, and He has called us to join Him in accomplishing a truly awesome mission of life and transformation.
Excited to learn and grow in the new year with you,
Ryan
