October 28, 2012 – Day 21 – James 5:17-20

¹⁷ Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. ¹⁹ My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. ^[1]

These last four verses in the book of James serve to emphasize and highlight the incredible power of prayer and restoration. Both serve crucial functions in the body of believers. Prayer does not just benefit the individual but also the community. As an example of that power over a community James invokes the memory of Elijah and perhaps the greatest, or at least most sensational, miracle he performed. At his word there was no rain in the land for nearly four years. The drought brought about the reconciliation of an entire nation.

The same power of prayer, evident in Elijah’s life, is still available to the believer today, and like the days of Elijah it’s benefits to the community are still very real. The Israelites were guilty of worshiping a false god, Baal. They were seduced away from the one true God because of expediency. They believed that Baal was the god of fertility, while Yahweh was the God of fire and wrath. When they wanted to ensure the birth of children or the harvest of an abundant crop they would pray to Baal, but when the nation was under siege, they prayed to Yahweh. Elijah, in dramatic fashion, demonstrated to the nation that there was but one God and no amount of praying to Baal could alter that fact or cause there to be rain.

The result of this encounter with the people and the priests of Baal was not just bloody destruction, but the reconciliation of a wayward people back to God. So much of our prayer is self-interested when it should contribute to the good of the community. God will take care of us. He has done so in the past and will continue to do so in the present and the future, but we have an obligation to bring a wayward brother or sister back from the error of their ways and in so doing build up the community of faith. Prayer is the most powerful weapon in our quiver. It brings us into the manifest presence of God and releases His presence by our words. It provides the material the Holy Spirit needs to create in our lives. God will hear and answer us, but we have to pray.

Lord, You taught Your disciples how to pray. Like that great prayer we honor and adore Your holy and righteous name. We extol Your virtues and invite the presence of Your Kingdom here on earth. We implore Your perfect will for our lives and seek Your provision for each and every day. We ask You to forgive our foolish ways and restore us to right relationship with You and our sisters and brothers. Preserve us in the time of temptation and great evil. Guide our steps and bridle our tongues. Let only that which builds up Your Kingdom and exalts Your power come out of our mouths. Then in Your mercy, use us for Your great purposes, in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.