James 5:16 [a]Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, [b]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Quickword: Confess & Pray
One of the most disappointing things that I often witness is the unwillingness of persons to admit when they have made a mistake. There is a sense of foolish pride in our human frailties that keeps us from admitting when we are wrong. This unwillingness to acknowledge our shortcomings is even more dangerous when leaders at all levels cannot or more accurately admit trespasses against others: James says to us in this Quickword:
- Confess your trespasses to one another
- Pray for one another, that you may be healed
- The prayer of the righteous avails much
How much better would we be if we simply confessed our trespasses to one another and prayed for one another? If we simply did those two things most conflict among us would disappear. What if we stopped pointing accusatory fingers at one another and instead prayed for one another. James reminds us that the effective, fervent prayer avails much. Simply stated prayer can heal the land.
Dear God in Heaven, I come before your throne of Grace acknowledging that I have falling short of your glory. I asked for your forgiveness but not only for me but for all of us who have trespassed against one another in word or deed. God I asked in the name of Jesus that you hear our prayers, forgive us of our sins and heal the land. Amen
Amen!