“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16
Being quick to confess any fault if necessary, we must pray for one another. The root of bitterness and pride will grow deep and often hinder any confession of fault by the offender. To be sure, no – we’re not to confess our sins one to another for forgiveness of sins. We confess our sins to the Lord and He is faithful and just to forgive us.
“8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9
For fervent prayers to avail much, they must be mixed with the intercessory Work of Jesus. Aligning with heathen religions and ‘praying’ WITH them is grossly wrong. Please note, I said ‘with’ them and not ‘for’ them. We should certainly pray for them to come to the Saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ but should never pray with them in agreement. Even if the heathen’s prayer seems right and good, simply put, it is not mixed with the intercessory work of Christ Jesus and therefore ineffective.
“Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
There is no other Name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be Saved (Acts 4:12). It is HIS People Who are called by His Name that need to humble ourselves and PRAY. It is HIS People that need to turn from our wicked ways; the way of Balaam which has tickled our ears and swept us to and fro, and confess OUR sins so that our land might be healed.
“If My People, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Judgment begins at the House of God (1 Peter 4:17). This is not tiddly winks but it is the souls of men and women being led into a ditch by false apostles and deceitful workers who have transformed themselves into the apostles of Christ.
“13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Cor. 11:13-15
Until the church confesses THEIR sin of spiritual adultery and seeking the ways of the world for victorious Christian living, their prayers are ineffective. Using the Name of Jesus as a magic charm to induce the spirit world of righteousness into action is NOT mixing prayer with the intercessory work of Christ Jesus but is in reality dismissing the intercessory work of Jesus and replacing It with one’s own incantation (aka prayer). God forbid no!
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the House of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17
Jesus Christ and Him crucified…be DETERMINED to know nothing else among you.
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 