Thursday - The Letter of James (James 5:19-20)
Welcome to Daily Prayer. We're in our final week in the letter of James. And this week we're
looking at the characteristics of a faith-filled community.
Today we're reflecting on the call to restore those who've wandered from the truth.
As we begin our time together, let's quiet our hearts and minds before the Lord.
Father, we draw near to you today.
We acknowledge that you're the Lord and you're the giver of life.
And we give everyone and everything to you.
Lord, we consecrate our lips, our bodies, our minds, and our whole lives to be used for your
purpose.
May your kingdom come and your will be done in us and through us, Lord.
We humble ourselves before you.
Inspire us to see and act on the wisdom of your Word:
A scripture reading from James 5:19-20:
"19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
A prayer of adoration:
Father, thank you that you saw us when we were like sheep, wandering away,
each going our own way, and you sent your Son to rescue us.
We praise you for your great love, that when we weren't looking for you, you came looking for us.
When we were stuck in a bush, when we were lost in darkness, when we were on our way to hell and without you in the world, you sent your own Son because you loved us.
A prayer of confession:
Lord, we confess that there are those that we have known that have drifted away from you, and we
have not pursued them in love.
We have allowed them to wander away, and we have not prayed for them.
We have not sought to bring them back.
Forgive us for being unloving and careless about those that you love.
We have seen when brothers and sisters have been in error and gone the wrong way,
and yet we have not gone out of our way to restore them. Forgive us,
Lord. Forgive us for not reflecting your heart.
A prayer of intercession:
Father, I pray that you would inspire us with a pursuing heart to pursue those who've wandered from
the truth, to pursue those who are in error, to pray for them, to seek them out in love,
to come alongside and to call them back.
Oh Lord, for those who have drifted away, I'm asking that you would turn their hearts back to you.
Show us how you want us to use our words and our actions, our homes, whatever you want us to use to
bring those back who've wandered away.
We particularly pray for the ladies that are involved with One Night. We pray that you would use
this gathering to give a vision of a life of faith, hope and love.
that there would be a life of flourishing, not to wander away from the truth,
but to draw near to you.
A moment of reflection:
Lord, is there a particular person in my life that you're calling me to pursue or to reach out to?
Would you show me, Lord?
Let's listen to the passage again:
"19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
Now let's memorize this verse together and embrace it as God's people:
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
A closing prayer:
Father, I thank you that you have seen us in the darkness. You pursued us in our lostness and you have saved and healed and restored.
Make us as a community of people who are all about your saving, healing,
and restoring work.
Give us eyes to see and a heart that cares.
Give us the courage to engage, the love to pursue,
that in all we say and do, we would bring honor and glory to you.
Inspire us, Lord. Fill us with your Spirit.
In the name of Jesus,
amen.