Power of Prayer
Week 35, Weekend
Crystal Schwartz
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. James 5:16 (nlt)
I have a group of women that I have become best friends with over the last five years. I am not sure how or when it happened, but it was so natural that over time we began to share prayer requests with each other throughout the day over text and e-mail. We have prayed at all hours of the night for jobs, homes, sick children, major depression, failing marriages, and spiritual dryness. Each time we have seen the Lord work and move in powerful ways throughout the years. It is no longer the exception, but instead the norm, to ask for prayer from each other.
James wanted God’s people to know and understand that the Christian life was not meant to be lived apart from other believers. Scripture says in Matthew 18:20 that God’s presence is promised when two or more are gathered in His name. There is power in prayer and power in numbers praying for the hand of God to move or act.
I believe the Lord lends His power to our intercessions for one another so that we can see that His way of life means that we do not achieve victory on our own. It’s a community effort. And we need each other—for prayer, encouragement, and help. James’s words above indicate that deliverance in our lives comes when we are faithful to confess, bearing our sins and weakness to others in order to have them pray. He promises that the prayers offered carry His power.
When we fight for each other in prayer, it shows our love for His people. And His power that moves in response to our requests demonstrates His love for us. When we are open and honest with our brothers and sisters in Christ about our deepest struggles and humbly invite their prayers, the Spirit of God will move in powerful ways and bring healing. Some healing comes in no other way.
Lord, I ask You to give me sisters in the faith with whom I can be honest and share my deepest struggles. And help me to be one of those women who can listen and share the deepest struggles of someone else’s life. In Jesus’ name, amen.