Let’s Practice What We Preach

This devotional was written by Jim Grams

Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven—healed inside and out. 
—James 5:13-15 (The Message)

Economy got you down? Pray. Is your heart still pumping? Sing. Are politicians troubling you? Pray. Can you feel God’s presence? Sing. You get the message!

Isn’t it amazing how easily we get frustrated and lose the sense of victory in our lives? We get all bent out of shape over the challenges we face. Praying and singing actually work…so why do we so often wait and use them as a last result? When I was a kid and got sick, the first thing my Dad and Mom did was to pray over me. There weren’t many visits to the doctor’s office back then. I wasn’t healed every time they prayed, but God’s ability to heal was never in doubt. And, they set a marvelous example for me of seeking God in prayer when faced with difficulties.

A smile is a wonderful gift. A kind word can change a life.
A song will lift your spirit.
A prayer is a powerful force.

Let’s practice what we preach or quit preaching. Let’s really believe what we say we believe…and then live like we believe it. May God give us the courage to share Christ every single day…actively seeking Him for the strength and joy to enter our personal mission fields wearing His name and character. Trust me, He wears well.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Take a moment to pray about something that is troubling you.

2. Sing praises to the Lord right now.

3. Begin and end each day with a song and prayer.

FURTHER READING:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Ephesians 5:19

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