We talked about prayer at the Bi-monthly Association Pastors' Prayer Meeting today. I haven't been going but am glad I was there today. We were discussing praying for healing, specifically, and seeking discernment on how to do that correctly/honestly. This is one of the verses that came to mind as we were talking. 'The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective' from James 5:16. That's not the whole verse though. The verse says...'Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.'
Are we missing out on something because we don't confess our sins to one another? We have a difficult time even confessing our sins to God much less to others. What would they think? Too many of us have become Americanized plastic Christians. Not sure if that's too harsh or too general? I don't believe we should broadcast our sins over the airwaves but what would happen if we did confess to each other without the fear of ridicule or condemnation?
Christ came to give us life, abundant life, real life. Maybe it begins in 1 John when he wrote...'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.' 1 John 1:9 So we confess our sins to God and totally believe that He will and does forgive us and stop wallowing around in self-pity and shame as if God's forgiveness isn't enough. We remember that God not only forgives but forget. That's not because He has a bad memory either. It's because of His great love. 'For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.' Psalm 103:11-12
What I'm beginning to see is this boils down to relationship...our relationship with God and with others.
Just some thoughts...
