When you become ill, what is the first thing you do? Call the doctor, call a friend, make a cup of hot tea, call the elders? Do you ever call a friend to confess your sins to each other? Or do you just begin praying for wellness and healing? Have you not heard, "Therefore confess your sins to each other so you may be healed," or "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
I usually forget the part about confessing my sins and just get right down to asking for healing. Why would the Lord suggest we ask for forgiveness first? Well, consider how much of your pain is caused by either your sins or the sins of others. Confessing our sins to another opens our minds to the work Jesus can do for us. It makes sense to me. Now if I can just remember and ask for forgiveness first, then move on to healing prayer. When I ask first for healing, I'm thinking that I'm also being selfish.
" Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he 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 man is powerful and effective." James 5:13-16
No comments:
Post a Comment