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James 5:13a
This next paragraph of James 5:13-18 is full of so much important information that we are going to have to break it down piece by piece so that we can study each important part and glean all that we can from it. Today, we will look at James 5:13a, and in it James asks if anyone is suffering? But he also gives advice for those who are suffering, and that is to pray.
This is a command/direct instruction for those who are suffering.
God has given us through His word some “catch all” passages that are good advice/instruction for all of us; passages that “catch all” of us. This passage of James 5:13a is one of those passages as we all suffer from time to time. Some of us may think that we suffer more than others, but we all suffer. We can look throughout the whole of the Bible and we will find people that are suffering. Many of the Psalms are cries to God to heal suffering. I do not believe that I am aware of anyone in the Bible who did not experience some kind of suffering. From Adam and Eve falling to temptation for the first time to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All of the sons of Jacob, and two of his grandsons (the two sons of Joseph) in which the twelve tribes of Israel are named suffered. Moses, Joshua, Sampson, Samuel, David, Solomon, Daniel, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, all of the disciples of Jesus of which Peter is a great example, and we cannot forget Paul – all suffered. All the multitudes of people that Jesus healed were suffering, and we must not forget the one who suffered for all of us on the cross – Jesus suffered.
James tells us that prayer should be a direct action when we are suffering. Prayer is a channel to God that is open twenty-four hours a day. Jesus prayed when He was suffering. Jesus prays in Matthew 26:39 (NKJV), “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” And in Matthew 26:42 Jesus prays, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” God longs to hear our prayers in faith to Him and obedience to Him as Jesus sets the example in praying properly…“Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42). We too should pray for God’s will for our lives, even if it is different than what we want for ourselves. He will guide us through His Holy Spirit which lives within all who believe in Him (John 14:15-18).
Dear LORD,
Please help us to see that prayer is a direct line to You twenty-four hours a day. You are always excitedly awaiting us to call on You for help through prayer as it is Your nature to Love us as You are love (1 John 4:8, 16). When the shadows of suffering fall over us, please help us to know that You will hear our prayers and be with us through our suffering as we seek Your will for our lives. In Jesus name I pray, amen.