Over the past several weeks, I made my way through the Letter of James in the New Testament. While doing so, the various passages accompanied a personal prayer. In response to each message of James (the biological brother of Jesus), I wrote a prayer that corresponds to each. This was an effort to internalize his letter to the Diaspora of the first century, but for us today as well. The text is King James to include the entire letter.
James 1:1
“JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.”
Holy Father, just as your servant James loved and honored You, let my worship, prayers, devotion, and witness of You be eternally pleasing. Let my prayers of adoration be as the flickering flame of an everlasting candle that gives a light of remembrance before You.
James 1:2-4
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience (endurance). But let patience (endurance) have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
LORD, my heart is often full and overflowing by your Holy Spirit. Yet, it is too often withdrawn by anxiety and fears that overwhelm me. With the pressures of this world, I become encumbered, but you are my joy and my peace. You are my high tower and my deliverer, and I trust You even while my thoughts and actions are not always as You would have them when I face hardships.
James 1:5-8
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Lord, you have my heart, and I fully rely on you for this course of life. I will do what you want me to do and go where you want me to go. Let me not get in the way of your interests with the decisions and initiatives I pursue. It is my highest desire first to honor You and what you would want for your glory and your kingdom.
James 1:9-11
“Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also, shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”
Lord, if or when life conditions change, please let the abundance and blessings you have given to me pass toward those you love and want to use for your purposes. I have earned and achieved nothing if not from You. When life conditions change, let my deepest joy remain in You as You are my lasting hope and peace.
James 1:12-15
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.’
Lord, I beg you for a heart of repentance all my days. I am a sinful man in thoughts, words, and behaviors. They are my fault, and I am sorry when sin is conceived within me against You. I am responsible as I have wronged You and others, and I desperately need Your mercy, cleansing, and renewal so I would not repeat that which causes alienation and death. After everything You’ve done, it is unacceptable that there would ever be any wickedness in me, and You are worthy of my full surrender.
James 1:16-18
“Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
Lord, You are abundantly good, and I delight in worshiping You because of who You are. The witness and presence of Your Holy Spirit make clear how good You are and the good gifts You provide. You have my love, devotion, and affection; please let me see your glory in the good that You do and the good gifts You pour out.
James 1:19-20
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Holy Father, by Your Spirit, let the fruits You desire become evident by what I think and speak. You are my hope, You are my strength, and You are my anchor, so over my inclinations, set aside my critical spirit and set within me an ability to better listen to You and others. Let all resentment and sources of anger dissipate within before they settle and take root. Let Your peace and joy within me abundantly overflow to insulate me from what harm I perceive.
James 1:21-25
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
Lord, I want to memorize Your imperatives. I want to hide Your Word within me. The worship that pleases You is my heart’s desire. The messages that are rooted in Your word are what I want to retain. Anything I hear or see that brings me close to You is what I want to remember and act upon. Let the men and women you place in my life be a meaningful and lasting source of sanctification as I desire to be permanently holy before You.”
James 1:26-27
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Lord, this is an area that brings me a lot of concern. I’m not doing enough for You and Your kingdom. I have given a lot of money in offerings, I have discipled people You love, I have given to missions, and I have served You in various ways, but You are far more worthy than the limits of my being. In exchange for all shortcomings, I would gladly exchange any crown or reward for your continued and eternal presence within. Just let me remain with You. I love You no matter what.
James 2:1-13
“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
Lord, I don’t just want to be good at the right things to say. Or to steer ideas, conversations, or preferences that are in the way and do not glorify you or edify others. Please develop within me the desire and mindset to readily encourage people. Help me empty my natural mindset and live out the Spirit within to bear the fruit You desire.
James 2:1-4
“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
Father, You have given me a heart for the homeless, and by Your Spirit, You’ve enabled me to help them in various ways. By Your grace, and leading, please bring new opportunities to further help through my church and by the opportunity of personal effort. It seems there have been less access and opportunity in recent months and I need your guidance about what and where I could be of a continued blessing to those in need in this way.
James 2:5-13
“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
Lord Jesus, the abundance of Your Spirit within is what is needed to offer the spiritual service of worship that pleases You. The neglected, socially unfavored, weak, and undesired at church is who I want to love through You in a tangible, lasting, and meaningful way. Give me the eyes to see where I could better love and serve those that you honor.
James 2:14-19
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
My King, that Your brother would form these words is such an abundant act of mercy that my heart is full by reading them to living them out. Your instructions through Your brother are a blessing that brings gravity to the truth and value of your work. Living out your Word is my desire. All that I am and all that I have, are willingly transferred to all that You are.
James 2:20-26
“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
Lord, it isn’t sufficient to be passive in my expression of love for You, Your Word, and who You are. I desire to have an active life full of the fruit of the Spirit. To live out the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that translates to interpersonal conduct among people I meet to help where needed. Please let your Spirit dwell richly within me to work the faith and grace You have given to me.”
James 3:1-2
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”
Lord, it is so apparent that the overflow of my heart and mind becomes present by what I say and write. It is my desire to be pleasing and holy in this way. Defilement by what is said is displeasing to you, and it’s my heart’s desire to keep my words in check. By Your Spirit, reform my heart and mind so that I would not sin against you or others by intentional or unintentional words spoken or written.
James 3:3-12
“Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”
Lord, it is not enough to abstain from coarse talk. Rather, it is my desire to be completely surrendered to what is best according to your will. Let not my passions prevail over your Spirit, so that I would walk according to Your Word and that your Word would be on my lips.
James 1:14-15, 3:3-4, 11-12, 18, Matt 7:17, Ps 19:14
“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be no wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Oh Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, You who are my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.”
Lord, I feel at times that I’ve gone too far and that my words are too many. Form within my heart and mind an attitude of discretion. I desire to become slower to speak and more graceful in what I write. This is my continued plea as I trust in You to walk according to Your word and by the fruit of the Spirit.
James 3:13-18
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Lord, there is so much error and trouble in this world, it at times is tough to hold my tongue and set aside thoughts that are just unfruitful. The influences and pressures of this world weigh heavy, and I need your Spirit and instruction from Your Word to light my path. Your wisdom is what I desire, but so often I get in the way. Please be merciful to me Your neglectful servant.
James 4:1-6
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Lord, Your Word pierces through to me on this because of my military and work background. This is a real sore spot, as You know, and I just ask for a softened heart and a mindset that my struggle with people is spiritual and not physical. Father, I really need help with this because I can’t manage it on my own. I surrender to your Spirit and trust in Your way and Your grace to strengthen me to live as You want.
James 4:7-10
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Lord, Your Word through Your servant James tells me that this is an effort on me. It is my responsibility and effort to draw near to you. You know that is what I do each day. Your Word says you will draw near to me by doing so. I’m counting on You to make certain and effective the sanctifying work of Your Holy Spirit. Even while my efforts are hit-and-miss, I trust in you for ever-increasing consistency in thought, word, and deed.
James 4:11-12
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
Lord, I don’t want even the appearance of slander to be named of me. Both directly or indirectly, it is my desire to be blameless before you and others in this way. Knowing intentional or unintentional verbal harm toward others is displeasing even in the slightest way, I want to be ever-sensitive out of a spirit of love and honor. Amen.
James 4:13-17
“Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Lord, it at times is alarming that I run my own course as a matter of urgency and expectations for desired outcomes. In this regard, I am an overachiever, but I confess not enough toward your kingdom. Only because I do love You and You know my affections for You. Who You are and Your presence is more valuable than anything to me, and I don’t want to squander our relationship from my own misguided pursuits.
James 5:1-6
“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.”
Lord, You know my view that everything that You’ve given belongs to You. What You’ve given as mine is Yours because my heart is Yours. Everything that I have been entrusted to keep is a blessing as belongings and a source of safety, livelihood, and well-being. Let my tithes, offerings, and giving be an acceptable form of worship where You are glorified, and Your Church is well-formed.
James 5:7-11
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
Lord, I delight in the cry of Your saints, Maranatha! The hope of Your return brings joy to my heart and a lasting source of refreshment to my soul. How abundant are Your mercies and promises and that we should be named Your servants and friends brings within me an overwhelming gratitude for what you’re going to do.
James 5:12
“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
Lord, may I not even reserve in the minds of others profane thoughts by what I imply. Purity in thought and verbal expression is my desire so that I might be a more effective witness to you. Either among your people, while in fellowship, or with people who don’t know you, it is my desire to speak in love and in confidence in an assertive way. Without passivity or abrasive speech, but gentle yet at times firm when necessary. Amen.
James 5:13-18
“Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”
Lord, it is my heart’s desire that the church would feel safe for people who attend. For everyone, either planted or those who attend, both seasoned and new where Your love and Spirit are apparent throughout members and attendees at various levels. We need Your grace, and may it never be that I am a source of undue friction. Let what I say and think in the presence of others be edifying and encouraging to those who are seeking You.
James 5:16-18
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”
Lord, I ask that You hear my prayers as I go about my day and as I appear before you on my knees. Let not my sinful ways inhibit your hearing of my worship, praise, gratitude, confessions, and petitions. Let my prayers be heard as they are given voice from Your Word and from others’ needs that come before You. Amen.
James 5:19-20
“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
Lord, it is my prayer that You would restore to You those who are close to me. Family, friends, and co-workers who have become distant from You need Your grace and mercy. As You are the source of life and well-being, may Your peace return to those who have sought You in the past. If there is any way in which I can be an instrument for that purpose, I am available and willing to serve in this way.
