March 9, 2021
James 5:16b, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
There is always a catch-22 whenever I or any other man sit down to teach, encourage, and guide by way of God’s word. As you can readily deduce it's not the lack of righteousness in the Word of God. It’s the fact that as men and women none of us are just or righteous, but for Jesus. For this reason, we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (see Philippians 2:12) Not to gain our righteousness but to be in the best possible fellowship with Jesus and our Christian family. Our standing as children of God by way of grace in Christ is secure, but how is our walk, our life as Christians, reflecting Jesus?
Here from verses 13 and on James speaks of situation-specific prayers. In times of suffering, in times of cheer, and in times of sickness. The key to successful prayer is our relationship with Jesus at that moment. We cannot allow for unrepentant sin to impede our communication with our Father in heaven. We need to tie all the loose ends by mending our relationships with others; forgiving each other’s offenses through confession and forgiveness.
If we consider these things before lifting our petitions to God, then our fervent prayers will avail much, produce results that are blessings both here and in heaven for all eternity. Fervency has to do with passion, with effort, with strength, with "umph"…not the kind of strength that rattles the pillars of our heavenly mansion but the kind of strength that moves our Father's heart. Remember Psalm 51:17b, “A broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” And pray with compassion that shows the Lord that you are just as concerned for the need of your brother and sister as you are for your own wellbeing.
Love you guys!
Your brother in Christ,
- Mark
There is always a catch-22 whenever I or any other man sit down to teach, encourage, and guide by way of God’s word. As you can readily deduce it's not the lack of righteousness in the Word of God. It’s the fact that as men and women none of us are just or righteous, but for Jesus. For this reason, we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (see Philippians 2:12) Not to gain our righteousness but to be in the best possible fellowship with Jesus and our Christian family. Our standing as children of God by way of grace in Christ is secure, but how is our walk, our life as Christians, reflecting Jesus?
Here from verses 13 and on James speaks of situation-specific prayers. In times of suffering, in times of cheer, and in times of sickness. The key to successful prayer is our relationship with Jesus at that moment. We cannot allow for unrepentant sin to impede our communication with our Father in heaven. We need to tie all the loose ends by mending our relationships with others; forgiving each other’s offenses through confession and forgiveness.
If we consider these things before lifting our petitions to God, then our fervent prayers will avail much, produce results that are blessings both here and in heaven for all eternity. Fervency has to do with passion, with effort, with strength, with "umph"…not the kind of strength that rattles the pillars of our heavenly mansion but the kind of strength that moves our Father's heart. Remember Psalm 51:17b, “A broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” And pray with compassion that shows the Lord that you are just as concerned for the need of your brother and sister as you are for your own wellbeing.
Love you guys!
Your brother in Christ,
- Mark
TODAY'S PRAYER REQUESTS:
A couple on the brink of divorce; please lift up all the marriages to the Lord.
GraceLife Church in Canada, whose pastor, James Coates is in jail for allowing the church to remain open and to meet in person. (click HERE for the story).
Dan - that he would return to the Lord, that he would return to his first love.
Juliet - Please pray for the feeling in her legs to be restored. Please pray for the results of the biopsy to come back benign, and reveal no cancer. Please pray for her physical therapy and road to recovery.
Sandra L. – Sandra’s surgery was rescheduled to March 23. Everything is in GOD’s perfect timing! Please continue to pray for a successful surgery, a smooth recovery, and especially to remove every bit of cancer cells.
Norah Rae - please continue to pray for this precious little one to grow healthy and strong; may God touch her parents and guide all the physicians tending to this little life.
Please pray for the churches who are in court battles to stay open, including Calvary Chapel San Jose. Please pray that God would give them the victory.
Please pray for the defeat of "The Equality Act" which will be headed to the Senate for vote in the near future. (See video below for more information).
A couple on the brink of divorce; please lift up all the marriages to the Lord.
GraceLife Church in Canada, whose pastor, James Coates is in jail for allowing the church to remain open and to meet in person. (click HERE for the story).
Dan - that he would return to the Lord, that he would return to his first love.
Juliet - Please pray for the feeling in her legs to be restored. Please pray for the results of the biopsy to come back benign, and reveal no cancer. Please pray for her physical therapy and road to recovery.
Sandra L. – Sandra’s surgery was rescheduled to March 23. Everything is in GOD’s perfect timing! Please continue to pray for a successful surgery, a smooth recovery, and especially to remove every bit of cancer cells.
Norah Rae - please continue to pray for this precious little one to grow healthy and strong; may God touch her parents and guide all the physicians tending to this little life.
Please pray for the churches who are in court battles to stay open, including Calvary Chapel San Jose. Please pray that God would give them the victory.
Please pray for the defeat of "The Equality Act" which will be headed to the Senate for vote in the near future. (See video below for more information).
Today at Calvary Chapel El Monte
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
No events scheduled
No events scheduled