Lifting One Another up in Prayer, Mutual Concern, and Active Support

“Lifting One Another up in Prayer, Mutual Concern, and Active Support” was preached at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, PA on November 6, 2022. You can hear/watch this sermon here, starting at 30:27.

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Scripture Text:
James 5:13-20

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We live in a world where suffering abounds.

It’s sometimes hard to see the light or the hope when faced with this harsh reality, but it is true. We live in a world where suffering abounds.

The pandemic is still raging and its impacts are ongoing. There is war, famine, and forced displacement of citizens. Natural tragedies still rage on all of creation. Across the world and here in Lehigh Valley, children and families do not have access to food, clothing, or shelter. And we can all name someone who is currently experiencing disease, divorce, disaster, disappointment, desperation, or death. Maybe that person is us.

So yeah, we live in a world where suffering abounds.

And if you are anything like me, and I think you are as disciples of Christ, maybe your constant thought… or even prayer… is: Holy God, what am I to do amidst all this suffering?

We are approaching the end of our fall series: Together: Building a Home with God. At this point, we have covered the majority of the marks of memberships as found in our Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order. These are things that are required of us to do as members and disciples of the Church of Jesus Christ.

If anything, this series should have taught us that faith cannot be passive. To be a disciple of Christ, we are called to act and do. Every mark of membership has started with an action verb: demonstrate a new life, study scripture, work in the world, care for creation, support the church, proclaim the good news, live responsibly.

Even today’s theme is a call to action: “Lift One Another up in Prayer, Mutual Concern, and Active Support.”

Faith in and of itself is a call to action. As disciples of Christ, we need an active faith to navigate, heal, and prosper as we live in this world, especially because of all of the suffering.

Our scripture lesson today comes from the Book of James, and James as a Book is all about practical, down to earth, active Christianity. James, who some considered to be the younger brother of Jesus, was one of the first leaders of the early church. What made James unique is he wasn’t so concerned with deep theological truths or complex doctrines. James just wanted the followers of Christ to act; to do something with their faith. Specifically, he looked at what he called the “The Royal Law.” James taught his congregation how to live out Jesus’ words, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Some of James most notable teachings come from chapter two, where he strongly states that faith must be active and it is based on one’s works. James is the one who taught “Faith without works is dead” and one is “justified by works and not by faith alone”.

While some of us like the deep theological truths or complex doctrines – I do! – sometimes all we need is the down to earth, practical, day-to-day wisdom as found in the Book of James. Especially when asking the question: what am I to do amidst all this suffering?

And the end of James’ letter, the passage we heard from today, specifically addresses that question. James chapter 5, the end of his letter, the end of this book, talks to us about caring for the sick and suffering. And not just the strangers on the streets but the sick and suffering right here within our own community of faith. James calls us to care for the neighbors right here next to you. The people who are sitting right next to you in the pews.

Every congregation, including our own, has numerous people who are sick and suffering. I think that number is actually higher than any of us would suspect. We live in a society where even the best-intentioned people feel drawn to be superior over one another. To be honest with our sufferings or to share our vulnerabilities with one another is perceived as an act of weakness. That is true for me, and it is one of my greatest struggles.

But if we cannot name our sufferings with one another, what is even the purpose of being a church? What is the point of calling each other neighbors and friends if we cannot trust each other with the hardships each of us experience? What is the point of belonging to a community of faith if we cannot extend and receive compassion and healing from people who are suffering just like us?

And that’s why we turn to James. He reminds us that every church MUST be a healing community. We must care for the sick and the suffering. We are to pray for them/us. We are to anoint them/us. We are to confess and forgive them/us. We are to bring them/us who have wandered away back to this community to receive compassion and healing once more.

And if we do not care for each other, especially when people are at their lowest and even when they are least deserving of our love, then we have failed the very call to discipleship as a Christian community.

Think of Jesus. He came to live among us to do three great things: to teach, to preach, and to heal. And the three are woven together. Jesus said he was the bread of life because he fed the thousands who were hungry. Jesus said he was the light of the world because he healed the man who was born blind. Jesus said he was the resurrection and the life because he raised Lazarus from the dead. You cannot separate teaching and preaching and healing from one another. And Jesus instructed his disciples – us! – to also be teachers, preachers, and healers. And we can be! We have the power to be!

Because we are all made in the image of God and because God is our ultimate healer, we too ALL have a role as healers. Every one of us has a part to play. And it is the utmost importance that we each be a person of healing toward another in this congregation. Because if I am a healer to you in your suffering, you can be a healer to him in his suffering, and he can be a healer to her in her suffering, and she can be a healer to them in their suffering, and they can be a healer to me in my suffering. The cycle of healing is to be unbroken and infinite.

That is the vision of the Church God has for us.

And healing in a community – in this community – is relational. Healing is the relation of mind, body, and spirit. It in found in our relationships with each other and with God. Healing is connected to prayer.

Some of us have said or done something we regret, and we need to let go and forgive. Through prayer, God calls us to confess.

Some of us are in trouble or are experiencing some kind of difficulty. Through prayer, God calls us to intercede.

Some of us are sick and suffering. Through prayer, God calls us to heal and be healed.

Prayer is used seven times in our passage today. And it is found throughout the entire Bible. Christians are supposed to be people of prayer. That takes time, concentration, focus, and energy. And when prayer becomes an actual spiritual priority, it moves beyond just words and into action.

I’m sure you have noticed my recently shaved head. A few weeks ago, my cousin was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. My cousin is my age, with a newly born baby boy. We have a small family with only 7 of us cousins including me and my two brothers. Growing up, our families were inseparable. While we have gone our own ways in adulthood, that bond will never be broken. His mom, my aunt and Godmother, when she called to tell me of his diagnosis asked for my prayers. Of course, I would add my cousin to my prayers. I would also add his family – my family, our family – to my prayers. My uncle, who is also my cousin’s uncle, organized a fundraiser. $50 would be donated for every person who shaves their head. So that’s what we did. All of us in our family plus many others. And in the last couple of weeks, I have talked with my cousin, my aunt, my uncle, my whole extended family more so than I have this entire year.

Because I’ve learned when you pray for people daily, you also want to chat with them. You find time to check in with them and see how they are doing. At the core of your being, you want to be in relationship with them. To show care and compassion for them. To provide whatever support they may need. And so you do. That is practical, down to earth, Christianity.

So what are we to do amidst all this suffering?

We live an active faith. We pray, we show concern, compassion, and care, and we provide support. We heal and be healed. We trust in a community that receives our own suffering with open arms and loving hearts. We love our neighbors as ourselves.

Will you pray with me?

We confess to you, O God, that our lives are filled with sickness and suffering. We acknowledge that each of us are in need of your healing. Send your Holy Spirit to us and through us. Let us heal and be healed through the presence of Jesus Christ. May we live as your Church, now and forever more. Amen. 

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