Are You Concerned?: Heal the Hurt
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today’s Scripture
"Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops." James 5:13-18 NLT
Thoughts for Today
When we are hurt and frustrated by the actions and words of someone we care about, someone with a life-controlling problem whom we are trying to help, prayer is at the very heart of healing the hurt. In today's scripture, James offers insight about when and how to pray:
- Pray when we are in trouble.
- Pray when we are sick and call other mature Christians to pray for us.
- Pray in faith; pray believing God will answer . . . and he will.
- Pray for one other. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
- Pray earnestly; don't stop praying. God answers the prayers of men and women just like us.
Consider this . . .
Notice that James talks about things we can do, things others can do for us, and then what God will do.
What we can do:
- Pray.
- Ask the elders (mature Christians) to pray for us.
- Confess our sins to one another.
- Pray for one another.
What others can do for us:
- Pray for our healing.
- Bring us back to the truth.
What God will do:
- Raise us up.
- Make us well.
- Forgive us.
- Answer our prayers.
Remember, you are not alone. Allow God to heal the hurt. Allow him to guide you to truth.
Prayer
Father, help me get my focus back on you. I know I need to stop dwelling on my hurts and frustrations. Help me be faithful in prayer and put my hope in you. May the Holy Spirit guide and comfort and strengthen me. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from . . . Concerned Persons: Because We Need Each Other by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This study is designed for the many people who have a current or past relationship with a person who has a life-controlling problem. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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