Call of the Wild: a Journey Through the Book of JamesSample

Honest to God

Recently, Jennie and I had to solve a mystery. One of Jennie’s plants had suffered first degree-plant slaughter. A broken branch savagely snapped off at the root and left for dead lay on the ground next to the pot. We quickly narrowed in on our youngest, Lennox, as the most obvious perpetrator.

When we brought him into the room to question him, we immediately knew we had found the culprit. However, we never did get a complete confession.

What causes our kids to lie about trivial things like broken plants? Why do we as humans have such a hard time with honesty?

In today’s passage, James talks about honesty. But not just honesty with each other, honesty with God. We want to relate to God through prayer like a child talking to their Father.

What are the keys to a healthy prayer life?

Authenticity

Honesty with God means acknowledging both the good and the bad in our lives. Life has ups and downs, it’s up to us to bring all of it to God.

Unity

Prayer unites your soul to God, but it also unites your soul within yourself. Sin divides us on the inside, causing shame. Confessing our sin to God through prayer gives us the strength to resist future temptation.

Intensity

James says to pray ‘fervently’. The literal translation of this is to ‘put prayer in your prayers.’ It’s up to us to be intentional about the words that we pray so that when we pray, we’re actually praying.

Responsibility

Sometimes we are supposed to be the answer to our own prayers. We can’t expect God to answer prayers that we aren’t willing to act on ourselves.

Eternity

It’s important for us to pray with eternity in mind. Our greatest prayers shouldn’t be directed towards things that will expire; but rather, we should pray for healthy souls in ourselves and others. When our prayers are eternal, death and pain are put in perspective.

Longevity

When your prayers don’t get an answer at first, don’t give up. God’s still listening.

Community. 

In all of this, having the Church to pray for you and with you truly makes this aspect of your relationship with God come alive.