Faith, Prayer, and Healing

These last few weeks I have been in the Beth Moore study, "James, Mercy Triumphs." Now I have to be honest, it has not been my favorite Beth Moore study. I just could not "get into it." I was somewhat baffled until I realized two things.

First, this is my 3rd time to study the book of James. I am a little hard headed and sometimes God has to tell me things more than once. Second and most important, I realized I have been living James for the last six years. Please know, I am not in anyway completed in Christ, but in the last six years our family has been through many difficult circumstances.

James 1:2-7 from the Message. "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when your ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought."

Six years ago, I found out my daughter was pregnant. She was not married and thank God she had no intention of marrying the father of her baby. We went about our business, hiding her pregnancy. But God did not want this child of His hidden. So at 26 weeks, Tyler Reyell Duso entered the world. The doctors immediately began to tell us that he would not live, but God had another plan. During those first dark days of his little life, Scott Maze, our wonderful pastor, came to pray over Tyler at the hospital. To my wonder and astonishment, Scott prayed for Tyler's future. Now I want you to understand that the doctors had told us that IF Tyler live, he would have multiple physical and mental problems. But Scott prayed for the future God had planned for Tyler, one full of life. I think God sent Scott to teach me what praying believing looked like. To teach me that we would get what we asked for truly prayed in faith. Shortly after this, Scott preached a series from James. It included lessons in testing, faith, endurance, prayer, and obedience.

James 2: 12-13 The Message "Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time."

The other thing that changed in my life was my judgmental attitude. I had been one of "those pious" Christians that often was so busy looking at my neighbor's sin that I could not see my own. In the last six years, I have worked to be a blessing not a hindrance to people. Since I was in the habit of judging, teaching myself to be a positive person instead of a negative person has been a real challenge. I still have to constantly guard against my carnal nature.

Which brings me to the other big lesson I have learned from James, once again, the hard way.  James 3:7-8 "This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue--it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women He made in His image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!"

Oh my tongue! Often, I am too quick to diagnose a problem and express my opinion, when instead I should drop to my knees and pray. More than once God has had to make me "eat my words" as He showed me the truth of the situation. When I find myself slipping, I know I need to immediately get into the Word. God always has just the right study, sermon, scripture, or word from a friend to set me back on the right path.

The last lesson, pray first then you don't have to worry later; tell others how God has blessed you, it should not be a secret. James 5:13-15 "Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. .... The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with."

In this last year, my family and friends have prayed. I have lived these verses day and night, week in week out, month by month. When I was diagnosed with cancer, all God had taught me about faith, trust, and obedience came together. I knew God would see me through. I sought out my church leaders to pray for me and they did faithfully. When the doctor gave us news that others would consider catastrophic, my family was covered in prayer by "knee warriors." When I thought I could not bear the physical pain one more moment, a card with a sweet prayer would arrive to remind me that people who knew and loved God were praying for me. Now on the other side of the long journey, I can look back at my path and see the prayers of all those saints.

So, now as I look at the title of this study, I realize why God wanted me to be involved. I am so glad God gave me a chance to remember all He has taught me, to celebrate the active love of my friends and family, and  to know that when we pray believing God will help us.