November 18 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

James 5:13–18

Devotional

What must we pray for? Should we only pray that our suffering would be removed? There are far too many who pray exclusively for that. There are so many who pray only to be delivered from their burden, but that is not true prayer. The Lord is not a “first-aid god” who only helps in emergencies. Yet our text says, “Let him pray.” Let him pray for grace. That is always the very best, for every need is the result of sin. Let him pray to be submissive to God, for people did not lay this suffering on him. Let him pray for comfort, for it is better to have God with you in adversity than to be in prosperity without God. Let him pray above all things for a prayer, for in his own power he is unable to pray to the God of heaven.

Let him pray because only prayer can bring peace. Looking upwards is combined with looking away from the suffering of this earth. Prayer also gives relief even if the suffering worsens. Prayer causes Christ, the heavenly High Priest, to pray for us. In Him we find a suffering Surety. It is at the feet of Jesus that all selfpity is brought to an end.

Is any among you afflicted? Affliction and suffering can break a person down. It wears a person out. It can lead him to despair. To suffer and to endure only more suffering is a disaster. But to know suffering combined with prayer is a blessing. This deepens the life of grace. Such prayerful suffering sanctifies; it is profitable for the soul and for eternity. Such prayerful suffering will even rejoice in the Lord, because on our knees we find God, who is greater than all our suffering and will sustain us. Everywhere that God is present, it is well. Praying amidst suffering leads to thanksgiving amidst suffering.

“But I cannot pray,” we often say in suffering. Yes, that is how it can be. We can have such a closed heart that no prayer can leave it. We can also encounter a closed heaven so that no prayer can penetrate it. But the words of our text are not intended for those who are able to pray. This word of comfort is applicable precisely for those who cannot pray. In Scripture, the Lord would not promise comfort if He were not able and willing to give grace to pray.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.