The Prayer of Faith

^"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:13-16

I'm smiling as I remember reading this passage when our small group was meeting in our house. We were actually studying the "Fireproof Your Marriage" series, and this particular week was on the main character's addiction to pornography. We had broken up into two groups - wives & kids in our living room and husbands downstairs in our family room. As we looked up all the verses for the study that week and began discussing them, my friends busied themselves with their kiddos and quickly said that this week really didn't pertain to them. I, on the other hand, with blushing cheeks absolutely on fire blurted out that I was addicted to food and really struggling. I felt like I had four heads with the reaction I got. [As much as I love the families in our small group, we are all at completely different places in our lives and walks with the Lord.]

But, it really didn't matter. I knew that the Lord saw my heart and that I was trying to be obedient to His Word to confess my sins. I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit, and I knew that more than anything I wanted to be freed from the bondage of this addiction. We didn't end up praying right then and there as my oven went off and it was time for me to serve everyone dinner, but I felt the release of being obedient.

And I've been praying. And I'm asking you to join me in prayer. If we're going to win this battle against the enemy, we need to encourage one another and pray for one another! These verses remind us that the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. While obesity isn't the average sickness, I still need to be healed! And if you're reading this blog, chances are that you're in the same boat.

I also need to be forgiven for the lifestyle I've chosen. I confess to you now that I have and continue to struggle with this addiction to over-indulging and laziness. But, I know that God hears and answers our prayers. I believe with my whole heart that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. And - praise the Lord - I've already started to see the change as God works on my heart, mind and body. I pray that He's doing the same for you! May our thinner bodies and new lifestyles be a reflection of His awesomeness! To Him be the glory forever and ever!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hear our prayers. Thank You that Your Word tells us to confess our sins to one another. There is no shame in being honest about where we're at and what our struggles are. Lord, we need You or we're never going to be the person we're meant to be on this earth. Please help us! Please forgive us! Please heal us and make us well! Renew our minds and transform our bodies for Your ultimate glory. May we display your splendor through becoming slender. We love and honor You! You alone are worthy of our praise. In Jesus' name, AMEN!