Praise

 James 5:13 ESV

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


We all suffer from time to time in this life. God doesn't want to to despair. He wants us to pray.

We can pray for the suffering to stop. Even if it doesn't, we can pray for strength in the midst. God upholds his suffering people.

Often, thankfully, we can and should feel cheerful. In that case we should sing praise to God. I don't think James is just on about when we gather as churches.

To gather with other believers is a great encouragement. Yet we should sing praise even as a solo! We shouldn't always need others to spur us on.

'Lord God, please help us in our suffering, and may we also sing cheerful praise to you, for you are worthy, now and forevermore, amen'.

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