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. (James 5:16, KJV)

There is not a day that goes by in which I do not receive, either at the office, or at my home, two to three bulletins from other congregations of the Lord’s church. In each one you can pretty well expect the same things—announcements, an article or two about the Bible, a sick and shut-in list, and a list of those who serve the church at that location. I read the articles (many of them give me food for thought or seeds for sermons) and often throw the bulletin away. I cannot keep all of them; I would not have room to store them, nor would I likely ever go back and read them.

Wednesday morning I received a bulletin from a church in this area, and for the first time, I read through the sick list. I did not know any of these people, but someone thought enough about them to request that their name be put on a list for prayer. Some may have been sick for a week or so; some may have long term illnesses. It says a lot about the fact that they are loved and that there is concern. Some thoughts:

Do we pray for those on the sick list? They have been put there for a purpose. We want to encourage prayer for one another. Do we mention them in our prayers? Do we pray that they may be healed?

Why do we print a sick list in the bulletin? What is the purpose?

We believe and know that God hears and answers prayer. By printing the sick and shut-in list we are affirming our beliefs that God will listen and do what is best for all that are involved.

This is the GREATEST thing we can do for people. Often we say, “That is the least I can do,” but when we pray and get God involved, then that is the GREATEST thing we can do. Do we believe in prayer’s power (Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24)? Do we believe that God still answers prayer?

ALL CAN DO IT. Even the shut-in and sick can pray for themselves and for others. I have a friend who is disabled and doesn’t work. Rather than feeling like his life is useless, he has become one of the greatest pray–ers I have ever met. He prays about everything. He keeps a list beside his chair and prays for hours on end. Who is to say that he is not doing a greater work of ministry than many of us who can get up and work, but don’t take the time (or make the time) to pray?

Brethren, we need to pray. Take time now to pray for the sick, for the shut-ins, for those who have requested prayer! You will be glad you did, and the Lord will hear our prayers.