A prison is made of walls.
Sometimes they are of steel and stone. Other times, they are of our own making. Financial. Emotional. Things that trap us and won’t let us free.
We batter at the walls, and we cannot break through. The car payment swallows our paycheck. We are put down by our spouse. We rail against God for not protecting our child, providing a job, bringing the rain, bringing too much rain … and if we’re in an actual prison, one of steel and stone, the life is sucked from us every day.
James 5:16 says:
“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.”
What does confession of our sins have to do with the walls coming down? It’s the prayer of a righteous man that has great power.
Healing? It can be spiritual, physical, financial, emotional …
Here’s the important thing. In this verse, James, the half-brother of Jesus, is affirming that prayer is powerful and effective. It also focuses us on possible resolutions to our problem.
Can we find extra work, trade in that car, perhaps drive an older model? The prayer of a righteous man has great power.
How can we stand up to our spouse? The prayer of a righteous man has great power.
How can we accept what has happened to our child … in our job … with the weather? The prayer of a righteous man … you’re seeing it.
And if we’re in a prison of steel and stone? Forgiveness, acceptance, patience. They are all there in the prayer of a righteous man.
Now’s your chance. Bring the walls down. The prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
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Code: FGO. FGO.G.18.21b