Do This First When You Have Difficulty Or Blessings
Twin pillars of a heart properly positioned before God in good times or bad
When suffering strikes or joy overflows, our immediate response reveals the condition of our hearts. James 5:13 gives us clear direction: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." Yet how often do we turn to prayer last instead of first? This Biblical wisdom challenges us to examine whether we're truly praying for ourselves in the way our Lord intends—not just for comfort, but for transformation.
Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.
Prayer in suffering transforms us beyond mere comfort.
Most naturally pray for relief when affliction comes, asking the Lord to remove pain or difficulty. However, we should be purposeful in our prayers, seeking growth in godliness, strength in grace, and maturity in Christ during trials. James chapter one reveals that these trials produce perseverance in us, making us "mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The Lord is often after something more than just our personal comfort.
Biblical examples show the power of fervent, persistent prayer.
Daniel prayed before interpreting dreams, Nehemiah prayed before meeting the king, and Jesus prayed through the night before calling His disciples. Elijah exemplifies this pattern—he "prayed fervently" that it wouldn't rain for three and a half years, then "prayed again" for rain to return.
God answered both prayers, demonstrating His faithfulness to those who pray persistently.
Cheerfulness demands grateful praise, not silent enjoyment.
When blessed with joy, we're commanded to sing praises, giving glory to the King for His blessings, grace, and mercy. Like the one grateful leper among ten who returned to thank Jesus "with a loud voice," we must not neglect proper gratitude. Our cheerfulness should overflow into worship, acknowledging our Lord as our provider, protector, and deliverer.
Proper gratitude transforms our joy into worship that honors the Almighty.
In short, true prayer for ourselves moves beyond selfish requests to seek the Spirit’s transforming work in our hearts, creating souls that trust Him in suffering and praise Him in blessing.
Psalm 30 captures both sides of James 5:13 - prayer in suffering and praise in cheerfulness.
David writes about crying out to God for help during affliction, and he shows honest petition during difficult times.
It contains abundant praise and thanksgiving for God's deliverance, and emphasizes that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning"
"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever." (Psalm 30:11-12)
So, Prayer and Praise—the twin pillars of a heart properly positioned before God in good times or suffering times.