James 5:13-20

This Sunday is our last in the series of readings through the Letter of James. I hope James has made us all better Christians, with his teaching and admonitions to strive to live holy lives of listening and acting.

This last reading, James 5:13-20, comprises the end of the letter. Its focus is on prayer.

James made a big deal about listening. We don’t often think of listening as a form of prayer. But how can anyone have a strong relationship with another if all they do is talk? How might you incorporate listening into your prayer life?

Here is a little practice you can try: keep track of what you ask for in prayer — for others and for yourself. Look back regularly, to listen and watch for how God responds. You may be surprised and delighted to find that God really does answer prayer. One warning: while God does answer our prayers, God’s answer is often not exactly what we ask for.

Remember, too, as James points out, praising and thanking God are also an important part of our prayer lives.