– Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. ¹⁷

James 5:16–17 CSB

O – Commentary:

therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other. A mutual concern for one another is the way to combat discouragement and downfall. The cure is in personal confession and prayerful concern. The healing (that you may be healed) is not bodily healing but healing of the soul (iathēte; cf. Matt. 13:15; Heb. 12:13; 1 Peter 2:24). It is the powerful and effective … prayer of a righteous person that brings the needed cure from God. This of course relates to the closing two verses of James’ letter.

 J. Ronald Blue, “James,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 835.

A – We need each other to work through the daily challenges.  Left alone, all we have is our one perspective and faith.  In community, we have other wisdom, encouragement, and insights to approach the things we face.  It also invites their gifts and talents into the challenge that we face together.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Creator of all things.  Thank you for the gift of others to walk with in our journey with you.  Help us to walk humbly and help each other.  We are better together.