Prayers of Endurance

Prayers of Endurance

James 5:1-20

(November 21)

Sometimes our faith requires that we have much endurance ... for the waiting, for the hardships, for growth we need. I don't know about you, but I struggle with patience. I have to pray often for it, and when it comes to enduring a battle of some kind, I really have to pray for that endurance.

What does God want me to do? How long must I go through this? Why am I going through the situation? For what reason is this hardship facing me?

All good questions. All unknowns until revealed by God himself. So, all I can do is wait ... and endure. The same goes for each of us.

James warns the wealthy that they will have troubles ahead, if their wealth has come from poor treatment of others. There will be much for them to endure:

Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rages. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. (Verses2-3)

And what about the endurance of those the wealthy have condemned in order to possess such wealth? Who is he speaking of when he mentions the innocent people?

They were the defenseless poor laborers. When they couldn't pay their debts, they were jailed or forced to sell their possessions. Some even had to sell family members as slaves. Often, these people suffered and died of starvation. To God, this was murder. And it was the reason the wealthy would suffer.

James has a call to action for those who are suffering. He says they should pray. He has a call to action for those who are feeling happy. They are to sing praises. What about the sick? He suggests they have the elders of the church anoint them with oil and pray over them. Oil was used both as a medicine and a symbol of the Spirit of God.

Why would James suggest this prayer? You might think it was so that the sick person's faith could heal him. But that isn't what he meant. The "prayer of faith" he mentions in verse 15 is actually speaking about the faith of the ones praying, not the person being prayed over. It is their faith and trust that God hears. While God is the healer, not faith itself, he often waits to hear our prayers of faith before he intervenes.

Are you suffering a sickness, either physically or spiritually? Have you taken the step to have others anoint and pray for you? God hears those prayers, and they can make a huge difference.

James goes on to talk about confessing sins to one another, so that we can pray for each other to endure the sin and be healed from it. Never doubt for a moment that your righteous prayer isn't powerful. God uses them in a mighty way for his purpose.

He closes with the urging for us to keep an eye out for those who wander away from the truth, and to make every effort to bring them back. Those who do so will save a person from certain death and will help that person find forgiveness for their sins.

Yes, there is a lot to endure in this world. There are no promises that sin won't find us, or that sorrow will never cast a shadow on our doorstep. There is no assurance that pain won't find its way into our hearts. But there is the assurance that we can overcome any sin or any hardship that comes our way, with the help of other believers who will pray for us and lead us back to God. And with the prayers of endurance that help us make it through. Thank you, God, that you hear our prayers and answer.