A Call to Pray and Praise

In everything you do, you should be able to praise and pray to the Lord. At your highest and lowest, God is there. Nothing on this earth happens without God knowing and no matter how good or bad a situation, there is always space to reach out to God. There’s no wrong way to pray as long as it comes from your heart. In times of cheer and happiness we can sincerely praise God for his goodness. In times of pain, heartache, and suffer we can pray to God for peace, mercy, strength, and grace.

Today’s sermon was centered around the following scripture.

James 5 : 13 - 15

• ​13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

As Christians we are required to pray and praise so in a sense, we are all called to do it. We have to do it for ourselves and for others. In times of suffering we need to build the habit of reaching out to God like it’s a reflex. Pray and pray genuinely. Pray for your suffering to be removed. Pray for strength and endurance. Pray for those who may be the source of your suffering.

Prayer is a source of comfort designed to lighten your load. If you'd like you can ask for others to pray for and with you.

Prayer isn’t just for times of distress though. We should make a habit of also praying in our seasons of joy. In times of cheer and happiness give praise to God. Thank him for allowing you to flourish. Thank him for allowing good things and good people to come in to your life. Talk to God no matter what is going on in your life. Fervent, honest prayer is how we remain humble, connected, and consecrated.

Whether you missed today’s sermon or you just want to meditate on it further, be sure to read and study the supporting scriptures and let the word of God edify your life.

• Psalm 34 : 19

• 2 Corinthians 12 : 7 - 10

• 1 Corinthians 10 : 13

• Luke 6 : 28

• Philippians 4 : 11

• 1 Thessalonians 5 : 18

• Psalms 92 : 1 - 2

• Psalms 96 : 1 - 2