Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is James 5:16

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

One of the greatest needs in the church is the bonding of brothers and sisters in Christ through the Holy Spirit. It is through this bond of love that we connect with one another in sincere prayer. Sincere prayer is not an occasional “God bless my brother or sister.” It is taking up the burden of a brother or sister and lifting that burden to God as if it was our own, persevering in prayer until the burden is lifted. That is the effectual fervent prayer and, according to our text today, that kind of praying, coming from the righteous, produces much results.

Our text today is not instructing us to unwisely lay all of our shortcomings on each other, but rather confess and acknowledge our wrongs when we have offended a brother or sister. Confession and forgiveness erase the fault entirely and, through prayer, a right standing before God is restored.

“The prime requirement for sincere faith in prayer is a clear conscience. Wrong deeds secretly done are to be confessed to God alone. Sins that involve others are to be confessed also to those who have suffered injury. A guilty conscience erects a barrier to unreserved reliance upon God and will defeat prayer.” SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 7, p. 541

Through love for one another and openness in our care for each other, our prayers will affect healing and restoration. A righteous person has received the Spirit of Christ, and because of His presence in the life, He or she becomes a loving person. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.” John 13:35 His love compels us to pray fervently for one another.

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim