John 5:13-20 

“Pray in faith believing”. This is a statement I have heard throughout my entire church life. I have often wondered exactly what this means? If I am praying to God I do so believing he hears me. But do I pray with the faith to really believe he is hearing me and will answer me? For that is truly the question. James 5:15 says “And the prayer of Faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven”. The author of the book of James is believed to have been James, the brother of Jesus. James really begins to make his point in chapter 5 verse 13. He tells the reader to pray if they are suffering, to praise if they are cheerful, and if they are sick, call on the elders of the church to pray over them in the name of the Lord and anoint them with oil.

Now I don’t believe for a minute these verses are just there as a reminder. Although they definitely remind us to pray. These verses are giving us very detailed guidelines to follow if we want to see results from praying. We are talking about praying in a faith to believe the God of this universe cares enough about us to hear us. And to not only hear us, but he actually listens to us and answers us.  

Verse 16 says “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”. As we begin to read at verse 13, we first see the directive to pray. The verse then moves into praise. Verse 14 goes on to tell us to call upon others to pray with us and also to pray for us. In prayer and praise we find a powerful weapon is formed. In both actions we are talking to God almighty. He provides others in our life to use their weapon of prayer for us. This is an awesome realization! 

Praying is a beautiful act of conversation with God. Praying in faith believing is a powerful conversation with God. When we pray in faith believing we get God’s attention. He takes notice. This is how the sick are healed (vs.15). This is how we see the sinner restored (vs.20). 

I encourage you today to find a quiet spot to pray. Get the conversation with God almighty rolling and see what happens. Begin to praise him for his goodness and mercy. Begin to worship him and thank him. And then just sit in his presence and listen to what he is saying to you. Let him speak to your heart and heal you. Let him bring you peace and hope. He is waiting to hear from you as you pray in faith believing he is going to answer. He will meet you in the moment.