Today's Verse: James 5:16

Thursday, April 6, 1950

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
— James 5:16
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

To confess and be rid of our guilt of sin is to do three things with our sin:
  1. Recognize sin for what it is in God's eyes - to confess literally means to call our sin the same thing God does.
  2. Get rid of our secrets and be honest with another Christian about that sin.
  3. Receive prayer from a righteous disciple of Jesus and receive forgiveness and healing from that sin.
James' language is powerful and clear. He wants us not only to experience forgiveness, but he also wants us to be healed from our past sins. Rather than hide, rationalize, dismiss, or ignore our sin, James and his brother Jesus want us to embrace God's path to full healing. Let's confess our sins to one another so we can be healed!

My Prayer...

Holy Father, I have sinned. I now confess my own personal sin of ____________. I ask for your forgiveness and for your Spirit to strengthen me in overcoming temptation. I want to live for you and not let my sin, present or past, entangle me and draw me away from you. In addition, dear Father, I commit to confess this sin with at least one righteous and spiritual friend who will pray with me for my forgiveness and healing, as well as walk beside me as I walk away from this sin. I pray and am determined to follow through with this commitment to honor you and discover your healing grace. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

23 Related Resources by Heartlight

James 5:16
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
James 5:16
Devo: Today's Verse
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
James 5:16
Devo: Today's Verse
"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."
Prayer and Confession Produces Wonderful Results
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and..."
See All 23 Related Resources about James 5:16

Illustration

Illustration of James 5:16 — Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, April 6, 1950

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 13:3
"He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Putting It in Context' (Ac. 4:25)
"[Disciples praying to the Lord after Peter and John were released from jail:] "You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Holy Sharing' (1 Co. 16:13-20)
"Dear Father, In watchfulness, may I stand firm in faith, be courageous, and be strong. Let everything I do be done in love. Help me to subject myself..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Hard to Understand' (Jn. 6:60-62)
"Many of [Jesus'] disciples said, "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?" Jesus was aware that his disciples were..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse