The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Friday, 16 November 2018 “Please Pray for Me” by Leigh Sayers (Florida)

The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Friday, 16 November 2018 “Please Pray for Me” by Leigh Sayers (Florida)

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The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve. (James 5:16 (CEB))
While waiting for my receipt at the bank, I overheard the person assisting me tell her co-worker about her injured leg. When she returned with my receipt, she told me what had happened and described the excruciating pain. She said, “Please pray for me.” I responded, “Let’s pray right now.” We held hands across the counter as we quietly prayed for God’s peace and for relief from her physical pain.
My response to prayer requests has not always been to pray immediately, but rather a promise to pray later. But by the time I pray, I have often forgotten the request.
The Bible provides many illustrations of believers praying together. The disciples prayed together in the upper room for guidance after Jesus was crucified. Peter and John, along with their friends, prayed together for boldness. Paul and Silas prayed together in prison.
When we respond to our brothers and sisters in Christ with immediate prayer as modeled in this scripture, we acknowledge God’s presence, power, and peace. The stories in the Bible of believers praying together give us inspiration and guidance as we become confident in praying with others.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Our Father in heaven, thank you for the privilege of prayer. May we never miss an opportunity to pray for others. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: James 5:13-16
James 5:13 If any of you are suffering, they should pray. If any of you are happy, they should sing. 14 If any of you are sick, they should call for the elders of the church, and the elders should pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Prayer that comes from faith will heal the sick, for the Lord will restore them to health. And if they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 For this reason, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve. (Common English Bible).
James 5:13 Is someone among you in trouble? He should pray. Is someone feeling good? He should sing songs of praise.
14 Is someone among you ill? He should call for the elders of the congregation. They will pray for him and rub olive oil on him in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer offered with trust will heal the one who is ill — the Lord will restore his health; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, openly acknowledge your sins to one (Complete Jewish Bible).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Today I will look for opportunities to pray with others.

PRAYER FOCUS: Bank tellers

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