“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 ESV

The author of the following poem captures the power of prayer expressed in James 5:13-16. Each stanza summarizes one of the verses above. May this remind us to continue to go to the God who is pleased to hear our faith and powerfully answer our prayers.

“The Power of Prayer”

Rely on God in the bad times

Praise God when the times are good

We need God at all times

Prayer is singing unto God and that’s good.

Pray for the sick and the prayer of faith

Will save the one who is sick

And the Lord will raise him up by faith

It is God’s will that heals the sick.

Pray for one another

God uses prayer to accomplish his will

Prayer is powerful, encourage one another

Prayer works according to his will.

A fervent prayer of a righteous person

Praying God is willing and able to do good

Has power not because of a person

It is God’s great power that does all good.

By Jerry Peterson 1/3/10