The Prayer of Faith

7.21.2010

James 5:15 15 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. ESV

The story of King Hezekiah in the Old Testament (found in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah) is the story of faith in the face of overwhelming circumstances. It is the story of obedience, pride, humility, and prayer. Hezekiah was an overcomer despite his shortcomings. Hezekiah was a man of godliness, faithfulness, and prayer – not bad qualities for a king.

In his New Testament book, James tells us that the prayer of faith will save. I usually look at this above verse and focus in on the healing of the sick; but today I look at the effect of prayers offered in faith in the face of overwhelming circumstances. Sickness often undoes our faith; we get sick and begin to think we’ve sinned in some manner and God is punishing us by making us sick. We tend to focus in on our behavior as a result and then try to make the appropriate corrections we feel will win us back God’s favor we feel we’ve somehow lost.

That attitude is unbelief and wrong belief. That is when we need the prayer of faith and, as Paul wrote in Philippians, receive the peace of God that passes all understanding.

The prayer of faith is what I should pray (must pray) in good times and bad; in seasons of both sin and righteousness. The fact that I pray in faith at all is a good indication of where my heart really is. The prayer of faith saves me from unbelief and brings healing to my attitude which often wanders off into the “slough of despond” where I think I need to win back God’s favor by just being better.

Father in Heaven,

It is with a sad and repentant heart that I pray today the prayer of faith. I thank You for Your love for me for who I am now, not for what I’ll someday be. May I focus my attention on Your presence today and walk humbly by Your side as one being taught that I may learn more about Your love and experience more of the freedom You purchased for me in Jesus Christ – in His Name, amen.