“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops” (Ja. 5:16-18).
As mysterious as prayer sometimes seems, the Scriptures are clear that God listens and responds to the prayers of his people. Take Elijah for example. Elijah prayed that it wouldn’t rain. And it didn’t...for three years. Then he prayed that it would, and the Lord brought a downpour.
For James, that story comes to mind as he exhorts the first century church to pray. When someone is suffering, pray. When you’re cheerful, pray. When there’s sickness, call the elders to come and pray. Confess your sins to one another and then pray for each other. James sounds a lot like Paul: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18).
Be it sadness and trials or joys and blessings, we’re urged to pray - always with the assurance that “the righteous cry for help, and the LORD hears them” (Ps. 34:17).
With that hope, would you join us in prayer for both our joys and our needs?
- For the School of Biblical Counseling, as the summer semester is in full swing and registration for the fall semester is open, including Darby Strickland’s class, Counseling Abusive Marriages. We are grateful for the opportunity to equip the church in this important way, and we also feel the burden of navigating the topic of abuse with wisdom and faith.
- For wisdom as we navigate the ever-changing terrain of re-opening our office. In addition to figuring out when and how employees will return to the office, we must consider the timing, risks, and precautionary measures necessary to offer in-person counseling once again.