Reflections from a Patio in Palermo
By Mark Cole
This morning, as I sit on an out of doors patio in stunning Palermo, Italy, with the sounds of scooters within the distance and the nice and cozy Mediterranean solar slowly rising, I discover myself studying these highly effective phrases from James 5:16:
“The earnest prayer of a righteous particular person has nice energy and produces great outcomes.” (NLT)
It’s such a well-known verse—and but, right here on this peaceable second, it hits me recent. Prayer works. It’s not a ritual. It’s not a spiritual checkbox. It’s not constructive considering. It’s actual, religious energy unleashed when righteous women and men cry out to God in religion.
1. Earnest Prayer
James isn’t speaking about informal, distracted, half-hearted praying. He’s pointing to earnest prayer—targeted, fervent, honest. The sort that comes from deep inside. The sort of prayer you pray whenever you’re determined, whenever you’re moved by compassion, or when the Holy Spirit whispers to your coronary heart.
This type of praying shouldn’t be reserved for the super-spiritual. It’s for anybody who will come to God with a coronary heart that’s proper and a religion that believes He hears.
2. Righteous Individuals
So, who’re the “righteous”? James isn’t speaking about excellent individuals. None of us would qualify. He’s speaking about those that have been made proper with God by way of Christ—and who dwell with integrity, humility, and dependence on Him.
Righteousness shouldn’t be one thing we earn; it’s one thing we obtain by grace and stroll out in obedience. For those who’re a follower of Jesus and in search of to dwell for Him, this verse applies to you.
3. Nice Energy and Outcomes
What an unbelievable promise: your prayer has the ability to vary issues. Heal the sick. Open doorways. Set individuals free. Strengthen the weary. Save the misplaced. Transfer mountains.
Not each prayer is answered in the best way we anticipate or on the timeline we wish—however we’re assured that prayer works. Not due to us, however due to God’s faithfulness and energy.
A Reminder from Palermo
Sitting right here in Palermo, a metropolis layered with historical past, tradition, and religion traditions, I’m reminded that folks have prayed right here for hundreds of years. Some prayed in monasteries. Some in cathedrals. Some of their properties. And God heard them.
And as we speak, whether or not you’re on a patio in Italy, in your lounge in Canada, or strolling a path within the Rockies, your earnest prayers nonetheless matter. They’re heard. They’re highly effective. And so they produce outcomes.
So let’s hold praying—with religion, with hearth, and with confidence that God nonetheless solutions.
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