James 5

As we finish out our James study, we can look back and see how faithful God is in his teaching to us through James. Before we read through James 5, take a moment to look back at the last 4 chapters and recall all that we have learned. James 5 speaks over a multitude of topics, but the two I want to focus on are Patience and the Power of Prayer.

Verses 7-8 introduce us to God’s desire for us to be patient and wait for his return. James uses the example of farmer in verse 7 as this,

James 5: 7 “Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.”

He then tells us to learn patience and take courage just as the farmers do with the rain. As we wait for the Lord, it can be difficult due to the fact that we live in an immediate gratification loving world. We want what we want, when we want it. Sadly, that’s not how God rolls. He sends us exactly what we need right when we need it.

In verses 10-11 James refers to Job who was a great example of patience, suffering, deliverance, and mercy through the Lord! Being patient and enduring the unexpected is difficult for sure! Having your mind set on the kingdom of God, trusting in his plan for you, and loving others in the waiting, will change your entire perspective on the idea of “patience”.

The second portion of James 5 explains the power of prayer! Prayer is not supposed to just be a lifeline when things in life are not going our way. Verses 13-14 urge us that in all circumstances, good and bad, that we PRAY! Prayers must be made in faith and belief that the Lord will complete what he started. James then goes on to relate prayer to fellowship. Verse 16 says,

James 5: 16, “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.”

Not only is our prayer powerful, but our prayers should be shared with others. Whether that is praying with someone , for someone, or for a group of people, prayer has the power to bring those together through the Holy Spirit. Later on in James 5, James encourages us to bring the wanderers back to Christ. Prayer is a great way of doing this!

Verses 17-18 give another example of how Elijah was steadfast and devoted to prayer and God answered! As he prayed for rain to stop, God made it happen. Then once he prayed for rain to begin, God again was faithful and made it happen.

As we talk about patience, endurance and prayer, I want to make clear that prayer does not always have to be an extremely formal, written, and wordy prayer. The heart of prayer is for your relationship with the Lord to strengthen through daily time talking to Him! Whether it be a 1 minute prayer before a math test, a 20 minute prayer for healing, or a 5 minute prayer as you close your devotional time, God just wants to hear from you!

As we close our study of James, I pray that the Lord has spoken to you through his Word. That you can take what we have learned this month and apply it to your walk with Christ. I pray that as Christians we may be patient in God’s timing, enduring through the storms, and pray without ceasing!

Lots of Love,

Georgia Zeleskey