Preaching Commentary
Summary of the Text
What is the role of prayer on life’s journey? For James, its role is central. A letter that has been historically bashed for an emphasis on “works” over “faith” is immensely practical on both. A workless faith is suspect for James while faith-inspired work reveals a heart of faith. The faith in action that James prescribes is not a means to one’s salvation, but rather an evidence of one’s standing before God. If it were not the case, then prayer would be simply a duty to be fulfilled. In contrast, in this pericope, prayer is no mere duty, but a way of the life of faith that hopes, trusts, rejoices, requests, and expects God to work on behalf of the one who prays in all circumstances. While the prayer of the righteous may sound like…
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