Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:13-16
In a conversation with a friend, the issue of prayer cropped up.
It occurred to me how annoying it is for people to say they’ll pray for you on a particular issue, but never hear from them on it. Why it’s annoying is that it’s like getting people who say they’ll talk to the landlords about the property and never hear back. Kinda makes you wonder what the point is of them praying.
Indeed the outline in James’ guide on prayer heavily hints that prayer is a corporate activity about community issues. Aligned to confession, healing and restoration, the point of prayer is to be productive.
Now I don’t mean that to suggest prayer is to be treated like a spiritual slot machine. I’m very uncomfortable viewing dialogue with God as if we say the magic words and ta-da what we ask we get like that. I’m uncomfortable because God is not that way inclined.
What is to be said, however, is that the life of the Messiah and the Apostles was marked by prayerful living. Prayerful living that gave guidance. Prayerful living that gave encouragement. Prayerful living that joined hearts and minds to the mission. Prayerful living that healed and delivered many. Prayerful living that clarified and brought God’s perspective on the matter.
That prayerful living is not the exclusive domain of ‘spiritual experts’. It is not just about ‘spiritual’ issues that are not connected to every day issues. The scope incorporates children learning to pray as well as the elderly still trusting in prayer.
In this kind of living, people pray and are prepared to walk through apparent unanswered prayers. The foundation being their faith reinforcing the very fact that God is and He is a rewarder of those that look for Him earnestly.
In this prayerful living, all.of life is submitted to prayer and every response is celebrated and keenly followed. This kind of prayerful living stretches us and in doing so forms us in the image of Jesus Christ.
Here prayer as the route to God and growing in knowing Him and His will expands our horizon to see things His way.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 
I want to take this moment to honour you with deep gratitude and sincere praise. You have been a steady source of encouragement in my life—lifting me in prayer, standing with me in support, and pouring love into me in ways that words can barely express.
Thank you for every prayer you’ve prayed over me, for every moment you chose to believe in what God is doing in my life, and for every gentle push that kept me moving forward when I felt like slowing down. Your presence has been a gift from God, a reminder that He strengthens us through the people He places around us.
I celebrate you today. I thank God for the grace, wisdom, and compassion He has deposited in you. You have sown into my life with faithfulness, patience, and genuine care, and I do not take it for granted. May the Lord Himself reward you abundantly, increasing you on every side.
With all my heart, thank you for being a vessel of strength, hope, and love in my journey. You are truly appreciated, honoured, and cherished. May God’s favour continue to rest upon you richly.
Evangelist Mulenga.
My dear Evangelist. My dear Captain. My dear friend. My dear brother. Thank you so much for these kind words.
You are most welcome sir 🙏