Join us for our study this week, March 27-31, 2023, as we discuss James chapter 1.
As James writes chapter 1, he share with his readers the inspired words of God as he talks about prayer, wisdom, faith, speech, actions and the true, pure and undefiled religion.
Today, on Day #2, we begin by digging into the chapters by discussing trials, storms of life and what we should do.
The videos below are on YouTube and Rumble. You can choose whichever format you prefer.
You can find more videos of the Preacher's Pen on YouTube by clicking here.
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Arriving in your inbox every Wednesday is our newsletter to give you spiritual motivation and education as you seek to create better days day for a better life tomorrow, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Each newsletter will contain thoughts to encourage you in your daily walk.
Join us for our study this week, March 27-31, 2023, as we discuss James chapter 1.
As James writes chapter 1, he share with his readers the inspired words of God as he talks about prayer, wisdom, faith, speech, actions and the true, pure and undefiled religion.
Today, we read through chapter one of the book of James. In our reading, we will also share some background information related to who James is and why he is writing.
The videos below are on YouTube and Rumble. You can choose whichever format you prefer.
You can find more videos of the Preacher's Pen on YouTube by clicking here.
Have you signed up for our newsletter?
Arriving in your inbox every Wednesday is our newsletter to give you spiritual motivation and education as you seek to create better days day for a better life tomorrow, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Each newsletter will contain thoughts to encourage you in your daily walk.
Prayer is a powerful aspect of a follower of Jesus because it is the communication avenue with the Father. The spiritual armor of a Christian includes prayer. (Ephesians 6.18) Paul, in describing the full armor of God, tells us to pray at all times.
While we know about prayer, and we even recognize the need for daily prayer, for what are we praying? As our words leave our minds to reach God’s ears, what are we asking God to do? Or what words are we saying?
Patrick Morley took time to consider what he was praying. In examination of his words, he compared his prayer with the Model Prayer of Matthew 6.9-13. As he concluded his examination, he said, “I realized most of my prayers were prayed in the key of me. So I started praying all my prayers in the key of we. It is amazing how our prayers take flight when they soar on wings that include them.” (The Christian Man, Patrick Morley, 2019, page 103)
If you were to examine your prayer life, would you pray in the key of “me” or the key of “we?” When you take a moment and examine the Model Prayer of Matthew 6, what do you see? A quick examination of the words of Mathew 6.9-13 show the words, “our,” “us,” and “we.”
Even the prayer of Jesus as He was about to face crucifixion found His words focused on others. The words recorded in John 17 show the purpose of Jesus as He seeks to glorify God through His life, then He prays for the people around Him.
While there is nothing wrong with asking God to be with us, or sharing our wants and needs with the Father, are we praying for others as well?
Just some thoughts,
Have you signed up for our newsletter?
Arriving in your inbox every Wednesday is our newsletter to give you spiritual motivation and education as you seek to create better days day for a better life tomorrow, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Each newsletter will contain thoughts to encourage you in your daily walk.
Prayer is one of the best opportunities we have, as Christians, to help others. Prayer is the pouring out of our souls to the Father, showing our dependance on power.
James tells the brethren that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5.16; ESV) As follower of Christ, we know that God hears our prayers, and His ears are open to our words (1 Peter 3.12).
Below are a few areas you might include in your prayers to God this week.
Your congregation – We are brothers and sisters in Christ and need each other’s support.
Your elders – Yourshepherds are the stewards of the flock of God overseeing our souls.
Your deacons – Your deacons serve in many ways many people never see.
Your ministers – Your Ministers need your prayers as we stand before you each week.
Your City and Region – Pray for our area as we seek to share the message of Christ.
The Unfaithful – There are many who have stopped attending and they need our prayers.
Those Seeking – There are those in our community which are seeking to find Christ. Pray for them and pray that God will provide us the opportunity to share the message with them.
The Grieving – This time of year brings grieving hearts as we remember people and memories of the past.
Every week people ask us to pray for them and their situations. Whether it is on a Sunday, a Wednesday, or just a normal day throughout the week, people want us to pray for them. People know prayer works. They have seen it with their eyes, and they know the power of prayer mentioned in the scriptures,
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)
While we pray for others, do we also pray for ourselves?
When others ask us to pray for them, we take time to petition God on their behalf. However, do you take time and pray for yourself?
Let us not forget we need to pray for ourselves. Even Jesus, in John 17, prayed for Himself, that He might glorify the Father. Jesus needed strength, and especially in his final hours.
You and I also need the strength of God in our lives. Praying for others is a good trait of a Christian life, but we must not forget that we need the strength and wisdom God provides. (Psalm 34.4; James 1.5)
Charles Spurgeon was once quoted as saying, “I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to Him.”
We must pray for others, but we must pray for ourselves, our strength, and our faith so we may be able to continue. Remember the words of Paul,
“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
