“…confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.” (James 5:16-17 AMP)
REFLECTION
By the grace of God, there are some good habits I’ve been very consistent with for years, like daily prayer and pondering God’s Word, daily writing work and following through with teaching commitments etc. But, I am (like every other believer) in an ongoing process of sanctification and transformation, and I find myself still struggling to be consistent with a balanced diet and physical exercise. I do consistently take health supplements and I’m usually very disciplined with my eating during the week when I’m teaching, but yesterday I drank too much coffee and ate too much sugar, and late last night I found myself physically shaking and feeling anxious. It was rather scary because I couldn’t stop my body from shaking. I started praying and declaring scriptures and I reached out for prayer support, and eventually the physical shaking subsided and I was able to sleep. This experience reminded me that while spiritual disciplines need to be top priority, our spirit, soul (mind, will and emotions) and body are connected and impact each other. And that it’s so important not to hide in pride, but to humbly acknowledge our shortcomings and pray for each other as we seek to fully cooperate with the Holy Spirit, who alone knows the deep reasons beneath our behaviour.
I plan to prayerfully put accountability in place to help me be consistent with a balanced diet and physical exercise, and I trust that our merciful Maker will continue to help me / us as we prayerfully persevere in the unfolding process of sanctification and transformation.
PRAYER POEM
Loving Lord ~ I’m so grateful that we can come to You as we are, with all our struggles, sin and all that swirls within. I pray to stay close to You and Yours, and remain honest in confession and prayer, deeply aware of how much You care.
