“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
–James 5:16
As I read this verse, I concluded that healing in any form requires us to both confess and to pray. I did not see where James gave much direction of what this should look like on a daily basis. Sir, where is the manual? Where are the CliffsNotes James? Am I supposed to have my homegirls over for a confessional brunch (Confessions and Champ anyone)? Should I go into my Usher Raymond bag and spell them out in song? Am I supposed to go to the front of the church and confess to the entire congregation?
What am I supposed to do James?
Since James did not spell it out (or maybe he did and I missed it), I gathered that he meant for us to be in consistent fellowship with other Christians. You know, more than just on Sunday mornings. If we have genuine and vulnerable relationships with other like-minded believers, we can feel comfortable acknowledging and sharing the things that are difficult for us, you know those pesky sins that are hard for us to cease. This should make it easier for us to confess, have mercy with each other (I have more to say about mercy here) and not feel judged (and if you do feel judgement, you have the wrong homies) and genuinely pray for each other.
In today’s world, it is difficult for us to be vulnerable. Most of us do not want to be that open and feel “exposed,” but it is one of the best ways to truly get to the nitty gritty of our weaknesses. Our relationships (and the church, uh hello) would be so much healthier if we simply trusted each other, shared with each other and prayed for each other.
I’m not a graduate of theology, but I know one thing for sure, prayer changes things. James told us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective and I believe him.
That’s it. That’s All Yall.
J. Bai
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