The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 23 February 2025 — The Prayer Of Faith
Click HERE to Read Previous MESSAGES
TOPIC: The Prayer Of Faith
READ: James 5:13-16 (NKJV)
- Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
- Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
- And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
- Confess [your] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
THE MESSAGE:
Sexagesima is the 2nd Sunday before Lent. It is an indication we are nearing the season of Lent. Today’s text (part of the Epistle of James) talks about meeting specific needs of man. It states as follows: Those who are suffering should pray; those who are cheerful (merry) should sing psalms (praise songs); those who are sick should invite the elders of the Church to pray over them. This involves anointing the person with oil in the name of Jesus. This prayer for the sick person by the elders will be in faith. God assured to fulfil His own part – save the sick person, raise him up and forgive him (if he had sinned).
Jesus healed many persons during His earthly ministry, based on their faith. “Let it be according to your faith.” The woman with the issue of blood for twelve years exercised her faith by herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made whole” (Matthew 9:21). Of course, she was set free. This highlights the need for us to back up our prayers with faith in the One who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Our prayer of faith will activate the answer to the prayers. God is always ready to honour our faith when we pray. As clearly stated in verse 16 of our text, the effective prayer of a righteous man avails much (especially when backed with faith).
PRAYER: Dear Lord, as I back up my prayers with faith, may You kindly answer me. Amen!
