Day 16: Confess and Be Healed!

Scripture
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 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 one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:13-16

Devotion
Prayer is multifaceted. Sometimes you are in the middle of a hard season or situation and you need to pray for help. Other times you are going through a great time of blessing and your prayer may erupt into joyful praise. Other times you may be sick and need church leaders to pray for you. Life takes us on many twists and turns, but we can always pray!

In James 5:16, James reminds you and me of something that is really easy to forget. He says to confess our sins to each other and pray for one another so that we may be healed. There is a healing for us in confessing our sins to each other and praying for each other. But it’s difficult! We must admit our weakness! We must admit our struggles! We must drop the facade of perfection!

But the benefit is so encouraging. We may be healed! Perhaps that healing is spiritual, mental, or emotional, but it may even be connected to a physical healing! Let me encourage you to find another Christian that you can be vulnerable with and confess your sins.

Application
Find a safe, trusted Christian with whom you can share your sins and struggles. Let them pray for you that you may be healed. They may want to do the same with you!

Prayer
Father of grace, today I confess ________ to you. Please forgive me, help me, and heal me! And please guide me to trusted Christian friends with whom I can confess and receive prayer. Amen.