The book of James is filled with wonderful words of encouragement and words of warning about our actions as a follower of Christ. Written for the early church, James gives us critical information in our walk with Christ.

We often forget that James is the half-brother of Jesus, and as such, grew up beside a man who became the savior of the world. He probably knew Jesus better than anyone else on this earth. However, James was not one of the first to believe Jesus was the Messiah. In fact, he didn’t believe it until after the crucifixion of his brother. But when he caught wind of exactly who Jesus was, the Messiah the Israelite people had been waiting for, he became a prominent leader in the early church.

Many passages in James mirror the words that Jesus spoke during his ministry on earth. This can lead us to believe that maybe, just maybe, James was paying attention to the words Jesus spoke even when he wasn’t so sure that Jesus was who is claimed to be. James ends his book with a final prayer of faith. In this prayer, James gives three commands:

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:13-14

Let’s break these verses down:

• Suffering- Pray
• Happy- Praise
• Sick- Ask for prayer

Pretty simple. If something bad is going on in our lives, we are quick to reach out to God and ask for His help. Prayer and seeking God is usually our first line of defense when we are suffering or sick. But one of these commands may seem out of place for some of us. Why is happy stuck in the middle of what would be considered negative situations?

I think James knew exactly what he was doing. I’m an awesome prayer when I’m suffering or sick or when I need something or some relief and God is the answer. But when things are going well, I don’t always remember to reach out to Him and thank Him. I think many of you can relate to this. When we only come to God during the bad times, we aren’t using the parent-child relationship He wants us to have with Him. We are using God as a vending machine to get what we want.

My son comes to me for the things he wants and needs, when he is hurt, or when he thinks someone has wronged him. But the times that truly touch my heart are the times he comes to me just because he wants to be with me and loved by me. God feels the same way. He wants us to come to Him when times are bad and when times are good. God wants us to come to Him because we want to be with Him and loved by Him and not just because we want something from Him.

James chose the word praise to associate with times of happiness, but he could just as easily have used the word pray again. Paul also gives us advice on prayer in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. He says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Pray continually through all circumstances and be thankful in all situations—good times and times that aren’t so great. Prayer is for us! It keeps us in constant contact with the God who loves us unconditionally.

I leave you to ponder James’ advice. Suffering? Pray. Happy? Praise. Sick? As for prayer. Prayer is the answer in all situations.