The Power of Prayer (2)

Is anyone among you suffering ? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful ? Let him sing psalms. - James 5:13.

The book of James is a very practical book which addresses the peculiarities and needs of the reader.

Prayer for Deliverance from Afflictions.
"Is anyone among you suffering ? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful ? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick ? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord" (James 5:13-14)

The oppressed and those who have been scattered abroad are told what steps to take in such situations. Are you suffering, afflicted and tormented ? You may be facing some difficulties or perhaps you are held down by the trails of life. Do you think about what you should do ? Pray! You must pray. The human nature groans and cries when afflicted, but believers are commanded to pray during times of affliction.

Affliction could be in the form of injustice, hatred by in-laws or neighbours. It could be oppression by taskmasters, family problems, persecution, hunger, personal attack by others etc. Unbelievers grumble and complain, while the faithless cry, panic, give up the faith, stop serving God and give in to discouragement. However, the faithful believer is to pray during such afflictions. James 5:13 tells us what to do when afflicted as a believer. We are not to run immediately to people but to tackle the problem, unless the situation is beyond us (verse 14). In Psalm 102:1,4, the psalmist wrote, "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to you. My heart is stricken and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread." The believer is expected to pray. Affliction could be likened to unfaithfulness from one's spouse, which bring insult and shame as a result of unfulfilled marriage vows. It could also come through the manipulation of servants or maids to inflict pains and sorrow on you. It could also be lies told against you as a result of envy and jealousy either at your place of work or from your family members or in-laws. It could be a burden from your boss (Genesis 31:50/Provers 26:28/Exodus 1:11). When all these and much more happens, you are to pray the prayer of faith, believing the Almighty God for His supernatural intervention.

The children of Israel prayed and God answered them. "But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us. Then we cried out to the Lord God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labour and our oppression. So the Lord brough us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders" (Deuteronomy 26:6-8).

God will answer you too as you pray (James 5:13). There is nothing strange about your affliction. It has happened to some others, yet our gracious God delivered them. Most assuredly the Ancient of Days, the great Delivere will deliver us from all our afflictions in Jesus' name. Amen.

Godly wisdom cannot be found in text books
or in the accumulation of degrees
But from the source of all wisdom, The Lord.

- Daniel O.C.