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This is James 5:13a. It’s a tiny stub of a verse but it is powerful. 

The Greek word here is “kakopatheo” is a merged-word for “evil” and “suffer”.

Are you suffering from circumstances that are evil or bad or wrong? James’ advice is to pray.

Circumstance

We are by nature junkies to circumstance. We are happy then things are going as we want them to, we are unhappy when they are not.

While we understand this about ourselves, we also esteem those who while they suffer tragedy, misfortune and evil transcend, overcome, and are not made bitter, vengeful or evil by their sufferings. We see this, esteem this, want this for ourselves, but surely don’t want the necessary suffering that produces this quality. (For more on this see my sermon from a couple of weeks ago.)

James’ answer to this might seem offensive and dismissive, but it is simple, pray.

Common Prayer Continue reading →