Today I read James 5, where the rich will face misery but patient believers will be rewarded, and prayer changes things. Today I considered that our hearts matters when we pray.
The Miserable Rich and The Patient Rewarded
The dishonest rich will face misery and the patient believer will be reward (James 5:1-12).The rich build up their corrupted, rusted, moth-eaten treasure, living lavishly. They don’t pay their workers, and the workers cry out to God who hears them. The rich also condemn and harm those doing right. The rich will have misery one day. God’s children have to be patient like the farmer waiting for his crops and like Job who endured and was blessed. Do not hold anything against other believers and do not swear on anything. Let your yes be yes and no be no. Have your hearts right before the Lord comes.
Prayer and Confession
Praying and confessing your sins can make things happen (James 5:13-20). Pray when you face hardships. Sing when you are happy. Confess your sins and have the elders pray and anoint you when you are sick so you can be healed. God hears the heartfelt prayers of the righteous. Elias was human like us and when he prayed for rain to stop, it stopped for three and a half years. When Elias prayed for rain to come back, it came back. Believers getting others to come to the Lord helps cover the believers’ sins.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Heartfelt prayer is powerful because God knows our real hearts and if we are truly sincere. “The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16b KJV).
Can you remember a time when you cried out to God with all your heart and you were surprised at how God answered your sincere prayer? Or someone else’s prayer?