Ministry of Grace Church

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

Truth to Learn

Prayer and praise should be our natural responses to life.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “suffering” is kakopatheō which we looked at back in verse 10. It refers to extreme hardship of any kind, be it sickness, bereavement, disappointment, persecutions, or loss of health or property.

“Pray” is translated from the Greek word proseuchomai, which is a compound word made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward” and euchomai, which literally means “to speak out” or “to utter out loud” and thus, “to express a wish or desire.” Hence, proseuchomai means “to express a desire to someone.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

The word translated “cheerful” is euthumeō from eu, meaning good or well, and thumos, meaning “mindset” or “temperament.” Hence, it means “to have the mind well” and denotes “cheerful, pleasant, or agreeable.” It is applied to a state of mind free from trouble – the opposite of suffering.

James tells us that when we are in such a state of mind we should psallō, which literally means “to pluck or play a stringed instrument.” It also carries with it the notion of singing and making music of celebration and praise. This verb is also expressed in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

 

Meaning Explained

No matter what the hardship, James tells us that it is always appropriate to pray. We know that God can deliver us from any hardship that we suffer. But just because we pray about it and really believe, doesn’t mean that God WILL deliver us from the hardship. It could be that it is the very thing that He is using to make us more like His Son. God knows what is best for us and we need to trust that He loves us so much that He will only allow such hardship if it will ultimately bring glory to Himself.

When we do suffer from a hardship, James doesn’t tell us to just “suck it up” and endure it silently. He tells us that under such circumstances we are to express our thoughts toward God. Our Heavenly Father wants a close personal relationship with us! When we have hardships and a troubled soul we are not supposed to call our best friend on the phone and talk it out, we are to get on our knees and talk to our real best friend and Lord who hears us when we pray.

In the same way, when we are in a good state of mind, we should recognize that it is a blessing from God. The result of recognizing such blessing should be to perform music to His glory and to praise Him, both with instruments and singing. Is God blessing you? Don’t wait for Sunday morning to worship Him in song. I heard a preacher recently who said, “Don’t come to church to praise God, come to church praising God.”

 

Application

Throughout this letter James has been teaching us to “consider it joy when we are undergoing trials.” He has also told us that we need to endure these times (remain under the load). But we don’t have to do so alone. Pray your way through such times because God loves you!

And when the times of joy come (for they will come) rejoice, knowing that God is behind them. Give Him praise! Have you allowed your joy in the Lord to express itself in song lately? Now would be a good time, wouldn’t it!