Scripture
"Therefore confess your faults to each other and prayer for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective"-James 5:16
We were built for community as we grow as disciples of Christ. I don't believe God has called anyone to isolation as some would suppose. This doesn't seem to fit the biblical design. Jesus did not have one lone follower with whom He walked, taught, and told, "Now, go out and make another disciple." On the day of Pentecost, three thousand people were added to the church after Peter's sermon (Acts 2:41). With that said, the scripture above perpetuates the idea of a community of believers. It suggests that we are to build relationships with each other. For us to confess our faults to each other and then pray with passion for one another, love must be present.
There's a certain level of vulnerability in confessing our faults because we must be humble enough to reveal our imperfections. This fosters accountability and healing (restoration). Our prayers for one another are intended to restore physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Can you imagine how powerful it is for a righteous community to pray heartfelt, fervent prayers for one another? This scripture is encouraging us to be a transparent and supportive community where prayer is an active force. Why is the prayer of the righteous so powerful? A righteous person is justified by God because they walk uprightly before Him. A righteous person is not sinless, but they are in right standing with God. Prayer coming from such a person is sincere, faithful, and aligned. Their right standing enables their prayers to be powerful, effective, and capable of manifesting the glory of God. Hearts that are aligned with God's purposes produce unselfish prayers.
Beloved, the power lies in our relationship with the Father. Our righteousness as a community does not make us 'super Christians'. It makes us justified, which allows us to have a direct, open connection to God that brings restoration and change to the people in our Christian community. The prayer of the righteous is powerful because it is the prayer of the believer who trusts that God will act according to His purpose and promise.
Prayer
Father, help us to continue to walk upright before you as a community. Help us to build loving relationships with our sisters and brothers in love and unity. May our prayers be fervent and full of fire. In Jesus' name. Amen
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