Welcome

‘James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.’ - So opens the letter of James, perhaps the very first New Testament document ever written. As we embark on a journey through James over eleven teaching weeks the question begs to be asked, what does a letter that was written so long ago and to specific recipients have to say to us, and the world we find ourselves living in today?

Actually, a lot! James is regarded as a very practical book, giving advice on what real faith looks like, particularly for followers of Jesus who are experiencing pressure from society’s influences (as indeed we are today). As we go through the letter you’ll see three key themes emerge that help us answer questions like:

How does our faith change our response to the trials we encounter in everyday life?

How does our faith impact those who live in poverty? Those who are wealthy?

Does the wisdom we profess demonstrate the wisdom of God or is it the wisdom of the world?

As we journey, we’ll see faith that God accepts as ‘pure and faultless’ is faith that outworks itself in our words, actions and life. The opportunities we’ve wrapped around the teaching series are designed to help grow our faith in this way so we encourage you to get involved. O, and one further piece of advice as we journey through this series, ‘Keep Calm and Listen to James’ - he has a lot to say...to us!

Grant Harris Tony Versey Nick Burtenshaw Ryan Bond Senior Pastor Senior Pastor Pastor Pastor

Check out www.pressingon.org.nz for further details on the opportunities below or download the PressingOn App from the Apple store or Google Play (Android)

Opportunities to engage during this series Opportunities to engage during this series (continued)

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Exploring one of the key

themes of James

Watch the movie and reflect on the themes in

light of James’ letter.

Financial Health Check Seminar Covering practical ways to reduce debt

and insurances. 7pm, Tuesday, 27th August Albany Primary School Hall

Facilitated by Andrew L’Almont (Baptist Savings and Development Manager)

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You may find it useful to have a commentary to study alongside the biblical text (purchase from www.bookdepository.com or www.fishpond.co.nz)

Introductory: ‘James’ The NIV Application Commentary (by David Nystrom). The NIV commentary series helps build bridges that make the Bible come alive with meaning for contemporary life.

Intermediate:

The Letter of James (by Douglas Moo). This commentary introduces the Letter of James in its historical context and then provides verse-by-verse comments that explain the message of James both to its first readers and to today's church.

Advanced:

James: An Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (by Craig L Blomberg). A detailed commentary that introduces the key themes of James, and includes a verse by verse analysis of the text with theological applications.

Recommended Commentaries on the Book of James

Resources for Children

Hooked On The Book: Patrick's Adventures through the Books of the Bible (Liz and Jack Hagler). A great resource to get your kids interested in the Bible and how it hangs together. Great activities available on the website: www.HookedOnTheBook.com

Boy, Have I Got Problems!: James: Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for Kids (Kay Arthur and Janna Arndt). Bible Study Activity book for kids. Available from www.amazon.com as a paperback book or a Kindle ebook.

Our children’s programmes are also working through a series on the Book of James. Check

www.pressingon.org.nz for the Family Interaction Guide where parents and grandparents can follow up

during the week with what the children have been taught on Sunday.

Notes

Use this space to write your own reflections and detail what God is saying to you.

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This series may raise a number of questions for you. We encourage you to write these down and put them in the ’James’ Question Box at your church location. We will endeavour to answer these questions through the messages, forums and/or on www.pressingon.org.nz.

The letter of James is full of incredibly practical, relevant and challenging advice, promoting a particular set of behaviours and attitudes and calling contrary behaviours and attitudes into question within the context of Christian community life. Understanding the author, the recipients, the context in which the letter was written etc are important in order to correctly understand the message and its relevance for us today. The information below will help us do that more fully:

Author: Early church tradition supports the author of the letter as James, Jesus’ (half) brother. James was one of the lead elders in the church of Jerusalem (see Acts 12:17; 15:13, 21:18).

Date Written: This letter is perhaps the very first New Testament document written, most likely in the mid to late AD 40’s.

Recipients and Purpose: The opening verse identifies the recipients of James’ letter as, ‘the twelve tribes of Israel scattered among the nations’ ie Jewish Christians living outside of Israel (probably somewhere in or around Syria). The purpose in writing seems to be a mix of encouragement (to bear the trials they’re experiencing with patience), and exhortation (to strengthen faith and grow in maturity and holiness).

Key Themes: Throughout James’ letter we see a focus on faith in action. For James, orthodoxy (correct belief) and orthopraxy (correct behaviour) go together like two sides of the same coin. The first dozen or so verses of James introduce three topics that James repeatedly refers to throughout the rest of his letter - wealth and poverty, trials and temptations and wisdom and speech.

Introduction to James A possible overarching perspective that draws the major themes and the content of the letter together is ‘walking the talk’ - growing in maturity of faith whereby our actions match what we claim to believe and the actions of a God in whom we do believe.

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Who is James and who is he writing to?

When was this book written? What were the main

challenges of the day that James was addressing?

As we journey through this letter of James we encourage you to take the time to read through the biblical text in preparation for each week’s

teaching. If you haven’t already done so then set some time aside to read through the whole letter in one sitting - it will help you gain an

overview of the content and key themes, adding to your appreciation and understanding of what James has to say to us. If you’re wanting to join the SYNC communities in reading the letter together then sign-up

for the Bible Reading Plan at http://pressingon.org.nz/index.php?t=Bible%20Reading%20Plan

You’ll receive a daily e-mail with the suggested reading for that day.

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If we don’t know how to face trials with even a hint of hope…ask God. Ask God to help us ‘stick at it’ and push through. So often we forget to ask God for strength not realising He IS our strength already. Instead, we waiver – asking and knowing we should believe but without it really sinking into our hearts – let it sink in. Choose to believe He is our strength and that He’s got us. Persevere through the trial knowing character is the goal not perfection (thank goodness). Character that has no favourites; Character that is not fleeting; Character that becomes us; Character that is a developing journey.

Psalm 126:6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

When it is hard, but the right thing to do… do it anyway. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

We will face trials. What options do we have when we

consider our response to the trial?

How can we consider a trial ‘pure joy’?

It’s the reality of life in a broken world that we will all face times of trouble, trials, accidents, sickness and tests. Faith in God does not make us immune to these, no matter how holy, theologically educated, prayerful or prosperous we might think we are. If we claim to have faith then we will be tested. These things are not an indication of faithlessness but an opportunity for the development of faith and character. James says this is a good thing. How is this even possible? How can we be ‘joyful’ when some things can hurt so bad and we really just want to run in the opposite direction?

Our attitude and understanding might be the key. If we really understood that the hard times ultimately move us closer to developing a deeper component of character (not perfection) then perhaps through steadfastness, stick-ability and staying power we could face trials, not just on our own but with HOPE. ‘Character’ is not some mythical element of perfection or unachievable high standard. Rather the goal is in the ‘becoming of character’… integrity, perseverance, loyalty...that encourages and develops faith.

Something to consider...

‘Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not

be able to count it all joy! If we live only for the present and forget about the future, the trials will make us bitter, not better.’

William Wiersbe

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No one is completely free of temptations because the source of temptation is in ourselves...We cannot win this battle by running away alone; the key to

victory is true humility and patience; in them we overcome the enemy.’ Thomas a Kempis (1399)

James 1:2-11

Salvation is free…but it is just the starting point. Not because God WANTS to change us BUT because by KNOWING God and his character WE WANT to change - to be all that He wants for us, to be us IN God, the best us with the continuing development of the character of God… integrity, justice, mercy, humility.

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When you face trials, what do you choose to hold onto?

Perseverance takes effort. In what situations have

you persevered? What was the outcome of your persevering?

Parable of a Donkey

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up – Persevere and you ‘will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.’ (James 1:12).

In God (God’s character) there is nothing deceitful, nothing false, nothing fickle. He does not promise one thing and deliver the opposite. God is not two faced…offering one thing only to snatch it back again. Though God does not tempt us he will allow situations (trials) to challenge us and shape us in the hope of developing character – Godly character. We are always provided with a choice in every trial: press into God and hold on tight and pass through the trial OR abandon the effort required during the trial and give in which ultimately leads us into temptation and possibly gives way to sin BECAUSE the character has not been developed. In our abandonment of effort we look for someone else to blame… often God. But God is not to blame for our failure to endure and hold on. James is not shy about telling us trials will come our way, in fact expect them and be ready. When under pressure we are warned to persevere, to not give in during the trial or temptation and in our still child–like state, shift the blame onto God. The origin of temptation is not from God, nor is it always from Satan, but rather our own self-interest, self-desire or self-ambition (self = other than God). We are in fact morally responsible which flies in the face of cultural belief.

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James 1:12-18

‘I for my part should prefer to praise you for being slow to speak, and even more that you are self-controlled enough to keep silent.’

Dio Chrysostom

God help me keep my big mouth shut! James turns his attention to our mouths and our ability (or inability) to exercise self-control in how we display our emotions, in this case anger. He argues that the gift of God’s wisdom must surely influence HOW we speak... our tone, our volume, our restraint. Our response needs to be, rather than reacting straight off the cuff in anger, to stop, breathe and listen with humility and respect. If need be count to 10. One of the biggest problems facing the church in James’ day (and indeed today) is inconsistency and lack of integrity. We have been said to ‘talk the talk’ but not ‘walk the walk’. In other words our actions are not matching what we are professing. We may ‘look’ the part, we may have all the right talk, Christianese and cliché answers but as the world and culture looks on they simply shake their heads and walk on. Why? James is very blunt… if we are listening but not learning, learning but not changing then our belief is worthless. If we know one thing and then choose to do the opposite then we choose an action or outcome that opposes God. Why?

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James 1:19-27 If James is suggesting that our belief is worthless then our faith in what we profess to believe must also be worthless. Perhaps we simply really do not believe that God’s way is the best way – life, freedom, joy... Or is it we’re unwilling to trust that God has the best for us and so we seek out what we think is best? Have we forgotten that with the salvation offered there comes a personal responsibility of moral (spirit strengthened) behaviour? Salvation and relationship require action. Just saying the words doesn’t make it so. James implores us to listen AND receive AND act when we hear the word (God’s wisdom) with humility and discernment. But there is also the warning that ‘doing and action’ not birthed and rooted in the word (God’s wisdom) is also dangerous… it can become self-serving rather than God serving.

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What examples does this passage give us of how we

can put the Word of God into action?

When was the last time a piece of scripture really

challenged you and you put it into action? What did it require of you?

James 2:1-13

If we associate ourselves with people just because of their social or family status, their job, their education, their bank balance, the way they present themselves visually, their contacts or their influence, James says we are breaking the law! The law that requires us to respect all people and treat everyone as equal. To treat everyone as we would treat ourselves.

Today we can be so concerned with a person’s IQ or account balance that we neglect the importance of a person’s EQ (emotional intelligence) or SQ (spiritual maturity) and this can’t be bought no matter how much money or influence a person has. Alternatively, we miss out on the richness of character because we’ve judged a person by their outward appearance.

Again we see James being straight up… he’s saying, ‘What are you thinking?’ Culture already has the monopoly on favouritism… on the idea of success. The empty myth and pursuit of the need to be skinny, to look 10 years younger than we are, to wear the right clothes, to ‘look’ rich, to go to the right schools and have the right education, status and social standing, profession. James is saying DON’T judge a book by its cover (or its back page synopsis!). James is frustrated that this ideology/idolatry has leaked into their churches, our churches, when it is so counter cultural to what Jesus taught and how he related to people – all people.

The people that we today might consider as the marginalised, the disregarded, the underdog, the undeserving, the un-lovable, the un-Godly, the immoral, the victimised, the uneducated, the un-well, the fringe people, the addicts, the hurting, the lost, the person right beside us that we overlook because they don’t

fit the box or there is nothing we can gain by knowing them - these are the people who should be welcomed in church – this is their place just as we consider it is ours. Jesus treated all people equally and identified with those otherwise considered poor or outcasts - In fact Jesus was revolted and angered by those that dressed, looked, spoke and acted superior, he called them white washed tombs – all appearance without any living substance. Ouch.

Favouritism is anti-ethical to Jesus’ teachings. And so is ‘lack’ of favour towards someone. The abuse of the poor and marginalised can be passive, sometimes to the point of passive aggressive. To oppress a person or persons is to insult by segregation and separation and this can include removing ourselves from situations that Jesus himself might step into.

James calls this sin (knowing what is right and not doing it)… it is evident in a belittling attitude, ignoring a need, treating people differently. In fact James calls attention to the fact that the people that we hold in ‘higher’ regard are the very people that could drag us into court and possibly do us more harm than good.

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What do you think is meant by James 2:13, ‘mercy

triumphs over judgment!’?

What are some of the heart motivations that result

in us showing favouritism?

True faith brings changes to the heart. True faith drops the head knowledge down into the heart and the heart knowledge compels us to act. Yes we can encourage people, yes we can pray for them and wish them well and send them on their way thinking we have done God proud but our faith has to go hand in glove with practical assistance at some point to be of any earthly use. We need to stop short changing ourselves, God and others by our lack of action. Harsh? Or do we really need to ask ourselves the hard questions, what am I involved in? Am I responding not just in words but also concrete assistance? If not, why not?

Why deeds? To bring glory to God – Speaks salvation

To grow and mature our faith – Speaks character To be an example of God’s grace – Speaks consistency

To show others our changed hearts – Speaks transformation

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Our own interests and ambitions can get in the way of us

helping others. What else can inhibit us putting our faith into action?

What is our motivation for good works - out of our

transformed heart or out of obligation or a desire to impress others?

James is asking the following questions:

Can authentic faith survive on right doctrine alone (head knowledge)? Can authentic faith be expressed as a sentiment that never reaches the point

of action (encouragement without the practical)? Can authentic faith without action give a full demonstration of salvation

(sacrifice)? James says no. God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense. He states, just saying the words does not make it happen. Religious statements, clichés, pats on the back, stand-alone doctrine or theology WITHOUT concrete practical deeds equates to a faith that is dead. Do we suppose for a minute that we can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on our hands? One can’t go without the other and survive.

When we say … ‘go in peace, be warm, eat well, good luck, Christ be with you, I’ll pray for you’ and we are not compelled to be ‘part’ of the solution then James says our words are empty and our faith is cheap. This kind of word faith has no saving power. We become seen and labelled by society as hypocritical. We buy into the same cultural theme of ‘leave it for someone else to sort out, that’s not my job.’

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James 2:14-26

Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and

then works again -- until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other.

William Booth

The reality is that our tongues resist being tamed to the point of full control. Show me a person who has full control and I will call them perfect!

We do make mistakes and say things we would rather swallow back; we don’t always get it right. But we can employ Godly damage control. We can practice self-control, humility, apologising, understanding our personalities and getting them in line with God’s character and simply shutting up. Biting our tongues is like keeping the match in the box even though we are itching to light it. Weighing up our motivation, God’s discernment and choosing our words wisely is a step in the right direction of gaining some control on this beast we call the tongue. Keeping in mind that what comes out of our mouths is just the tip of the iceberg. What lies underneath in the heart is the unseen danger.

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It’s not just what we say, but how we say it. How is

communicating effectively affected by timing, body language and technology?

James says, ‘no man can tame the tongue.’ How do

we allow the Holy Spirit to help us exhibit control over what we say?

With a position of responsibility comes the responsibility of the position and the greater the position the greater the responsibility. James is addressing teachers about accountability, the abuse of power AND teaching what is not true. He assertively highlights that our words, through teaching or general conversation, have the potential to pose on-going corrosive damage and have a lethal effect destroying individuals, community and faith.

The reality is that each of us has the ‘power’ and ability to inflict pain and cause misdirection for others with our words. The old saying ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’ is a sad and damaging lie. Words, our words, have the power to build and destroy all in the same sentence before we have had a chance to take a second breath. James contrasts our tongue with images of animals that can be trained and ships that can be steered and instead likens the tongue to a small spark that can easily start an out of control raging fire. James highlights the obvious danger of something so small and seemingly insignificant.

We need also to be aware that our words/tongue can be ‘high jacked’ as a weapon of mass destruction. Sometimes it is our own doing and sometimes Satan will delight in the opportunity of a weakly trained tongue. He will use it as an easy receptor to divide communities/families, express favouritism, destroy relationships, fuel narcissistic egos, lead people astray, crush confidences and exploit the innocent—it’s something he can do without too much effort on his part.

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James 3:1-12

Considerate - To be just, calm, honest, true and sober taking into account the feelings, facts and position of another.

Submissive - Does not mean easily swayed or influenced or giving in due to manipulation rather it is a person who is intuitive, discerning, recognising truth and being teachable, gentle and reasonable.

Merciful - Acts and deeds of kindness, compassion and love reflect a true faith and a true reflection of character.

Impartial and Sincere - The opposite to showing favouritism or having double mindedness. Possessing a singularity of purpose that their trust is in God. They are without hypocrisy.

God gets the glory, not us. The power comes from God and returns to God. If we get in the way and claim the power as our own then we are no longer wise in God’s eyes but in culture’s eyes.

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk

humbly with your God

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What’s the difference between ‘wisdom from above’ and

‘earthly wisdom’? Give examples to support your thinking...

What do you think James means by the following

statement: ‘deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.’? (James 3:13)

James addresses both the idea of being wise AND understanding. It is significant that he deliberately links them together. HOW we live our way of life determines where we draw our wisdom and values from – the world and culture or God?

‘Two fish were swimming along when another larger fish swam past them asking, ‘how’s the water today?’ Not waiting for an answer he swam on by. The two fish

looked at each other and asked ‘what’s water?’

Sometimes we can be so surrounded and saturated by the water/culture around us that we no longer recognise it for what it is. Wisdom can and does fall into this anomaly. Cultural wisdom can become so ingrained into us that we fail to see the stark contrast between cultural wisdom and God’s wisdom. God’s wisdom involves being Peace loving (shalom) - be whole, be healthy, be complete. This doesn’t mean perfect but rather the idea of peace is intimately linked to the character of God. Peace (loving) does not mean the avoidance of tension or disagreement. Non-biblical ideas of peace often include denial, suppression or avoidance of issues and tension which results in resentment, lack of transparency, suspicion and insecurity. A squeamish attitude towards tension often results in disunity. On the contrary, Peace loving indicates a responsibility to resolve through humble, respectful and teachable discussion. A biblical understanding of peace-loving includes the following characteristics:

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James 3:13-18

Chapter 4 highlights the results of false wisdom, the results of self-promotion, arrogance, pride, envy and manipulation. We end up with strife, disorder, death, fallout, abuse, war, violence and quarrels. These are the natural consequences from the ‘unwillingness’ to understand and demonstrate God’s wisdom. James goes on to stress pride manifests itself in things such as boasting, selfish ambition or need for unjust recognition and when pride is nurtured by these acts of false wisdom James warns us—the humbling will come. Being humbled will hurt: it involves uninvited self-evaluation and stripping down of things we have put our security in – not a nice place to find ourselves but necessary if pride has engulfed us. ‘Friendship’ with the world is more than an acquaintance or random facebook friend. Rather, it is a passionate desire to be regarded with favour and prestige. We need to stop flirting with the world’s ideals and idols. We can’t be flirting with the world on one side and have God on the other. When we come to God and ask for something and then turn around and use it to aid our ‘world flirting’ we are cheating on God. It’s like asking our partner for some money and taking your boy/girl friend out on a date with it.

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You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.’

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

James 4:1-17 Remember God is a jealous God – not jealous of the world but the time, effort or money WE put into flirting with it. We can’t have it both ways – that wouldn’t make God loving – that would make God a pushover and stupid – and He’s not that!

When we realise what we are doing James says submit (repent); resist our flirting, turn away, leave behind (being aware that this might need grieving space, privately or publicly) and refocus on God. In fact when we are hit between the eyes with our behaviour, with our lack of Godly wisdom and wilful flirting, our reaction should be one of dismay, regret, humility, embarrassment and yes, tears. Are we willing to learn and understand God’s wisdom? He offers more grace than we can imagine. More grace, forgiveness, wisdom and peace.

Yell a loud NO to flirting with the devil and a quiet and humble yes to God and He will be there in no time!

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How do our motivations relate to the ‘seeing’ of God’s

provision in our lives?

Quarrels result from our desires, opinions and feelings

that battle within us. How do we grow in our experience of peace within so

as to live in peace with others?

‘The man who tries to walk two roads will split his pants.’

West African Proverb

Food (or rather bread) for thought...

A man was a regular diner at a restaurant. The owner always did his best to please him. One day he complained that he only received one piece of bread with his meal, so the waiter promptly brought him four slices.

The man said, ‘That’s good, but not good enough. I love bread!’ So, the next night he was given six slices with dinner. He said, ‘Good! But aren’t you still being a bit frugal?’ Even a basketful the next day didn’t stop the complaints. Finally, the owner decided to end this for good. The next night he had a colossal loaf of bread baked - It was six feet long, three feet wide. It took the manager and two waiters to carry it to the complainer’s table. When they laid it on the table the huge loaf took up five place settings. They stood there and smiled, waiting for the man’s reaction…

The man looked at the gigantic loaf of bread and said, ‘So, we’re back to ONE piece again?’

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When is enough, enough? What does your response

reveal about your attitude to money, wealth and giving?

How do we ascertain whether we’re operating our

finances in a way that’s honouring to God?

James again gives an honest, but negative assessment to those that have a lot, yet still crave for more and more to satisfy self-indulgence. Last week, we saw how James was addressing those who desire to BE rich. This week we see James turning his focus to those who ARE wealthy but still desire even more to satisfy ‘themselves’. James brings in an eternal perspective claiming that the excessive ‘things’ we have accumulated and held onto will rot, they will not bring us comfort but rather cause extreme discomfort. We need to be clear that money or wealth is not the issue, as these can be used to achieve great things, but rather our attitude towards it, our craving for more in attempts to satisfy irresponsible self-indulgence and luxury that become our underlying motivation. When we ‘fail to act’ knowing we have the means to assist, the question needs to be asked… ‘If God is the defender and vindicator of the poor and oppressed and we choose instead to indulge ourselves (fatten our desires and heart) when the poor are suffering are we then working against God in our failure to act?’ (scary thought!)

When even the most basic requirements of responsibility are not being met (paying of wages/bills) because of greed this becomes a passive form of theft. Perhaps then Pecunia (money) has become our goddess... This also brings into question our generosity regardless of our wealth. Given that God is generous beyond reason, our motivation and natural response will reflect similar generosity - if God, not money, is truly our God.

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James 5:1-6

The prayer of the individual, the elders and the community all comes into play here. James refers to being anointed by the elders and to prayer not done with the certainty of healing, but rather the certainty that God hears and cares. To pray with a certainty of healing in this case would be counter to James’ message of perseverance and endurance. Certainly there are times that prayer for healing has a level of expectation when it comes to sickness but the healing may not come in the form we are expecting. Rather it may come in spiritual healing and forgiveness… in either case prayer has a powerful effect!

Without prayer, you are like a blindfolded soldier without a weapon, unable to see the enemy and without the firepower to destroy him.

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What is meant by ‘pray well?’ Are we praying for God to

fix our situations or for strength to endure them?

What stumbling blocks do we encounter as we

seek to ‘pray well’?

As James gets to the end of his letter it seems that he again wants to highlight ‘patience,’ but this time with respect to end times. He’s talking about waiting for Jesus’ return and acknowledges that waiting can be hard, especially in adverse circumstances. James understands that when we are experiencing difficulties (which he considers are normal, expected and necessary) our natural response is to look for a way out but he encourages the readers to persevere, to have a good attitude and exhibit self control. James wraps up his letter highlighting the importance of prayer. Often our reaction, when we are in trouble or pain, can be one of anger, despondency or resignation to our situation. James however, is saying prayer needs to be our response, not necessarily for the removal of an issue, but prayer so we can endure and persevere ‘through’ the issue.

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‘Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying.’

Paul E. Billheimer

James 5:7-20