And When We Pray

James 5:13-16
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they 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 person is powerful and effective.

The very name of Jesus heals and brings peace. 

In browsing social media I’ve found people calling out for help, asking for prayer, advice, and information. People hurt, become ill, and find themselves in need. Me too.

Our world has gotten bigger through the internet. The beauty of networking with people around the world is the connection. I have family across the pond and across the states. I’ve connected with authors in Australia and Europe. Behind every post, comment, photo, and link is a person. Someone who is striving to live in this world of chaos and craziness.

I thank God, I not only have family and friends to connect to, but I have Jesus. Matthew West sings the song Don’t Stop Praying and Here Be Lions sing I Speak Jesus. Both songs echo the message to keep praying. Take worries, doubts, praises, and concerns to Jesus. So many times, when I’m scrolling through my social media feeds I pause to read another person seeking prayer for someone they love or for themselves. When I see this, I stop and pray. I’m thankful my friends and family reach out, and I’m beyond grateful I have a place to go with their needs and mine.

Jesus hears us when we pray.

Pray for one another.

God, Pour Your Peace

 We fill our minds and hearts with so much stuff—

Social media, TV, radio, gossip, negative thoughts.

How about allowing God to pour his peace in instead?

In a world of chaos, God's peace brings comfort and confidence. 

Let's open our souls to the peace that passes understanding,

the calm that only comes from God.

Am I my Words?

James 3:17

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

I am my words.

When I worked at the library, I hung encouraging reminders above my desk. Many of them have moved to my refrigerator since I retired. One magnet I'd picked up at a book conference said, "You are your words." I thought about that phrase a lot. People observe actions, which are important, but in this world where we chat on social media my words speak for me. When no one can see me—I am my words.

Recently, I attended an online writers' conference. One of the speakers shared about writing on social media. She encouraged us to determine our posting value and to filter our words through these values. She mentioned three I also impose on myself. Be fun, inspirational, and encouraging. One I'd add, teach Jesus' truth.

As a believer in the Bible and Jesus, I find myself clinging to these values and seeking God's wisdom more than ever. You see, I have opinions about the world, but do my opinions speak the wisdom I seek from God. I have thoughts on what might be best, but would my ideas help or hurt? Would they flame an unnecessary fire? James 3:5 says, "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."

I am my words. As I pen my weekly devotion, I have to ask myself if my words help or harm. When I respond to a Facebook post am I sharing good news or stirring an already boiling pot.

One thing I've learned and try to practice is to pray before my fingers touch the keyboard. I'm not perfect, sometimes I forget, but I try to put Jesus' wisdom before my own. Opinions are good, thoughts are great, and I value freedom of expression. But I'm called by my Father to be considerate and kind, a vessel for his peace and grace.

What values do you align yourself with? Seek God's wisdom as you express your thoughts and ideas. He loves us and wants us to show Him to the world.