Reflection and Awe Lent Series - The Power of Confession and Prayer

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. –James 5:16

There is great power in confession and prayer. When we humble ourselves before the Lord and acknowledge (confess) the thoughts and actions in our lives that don’t align with His will, we open ourselves up to being continually changed by Jesus. He is constantly growing and changing us to make us more like Him. When we live with unconfessed and unrepented-of sin, we miss out on some of God’s great blessings according to His purpose. 

Confession brings healing and restoration, according to this passage in James. The call for confessing your sins to one another emphasizes the importance of accountability and community within the Body of Christ.

Through our confession of sins, we share our burdens with trusted believers (Galatians 6:2), who should, in turn, offer grace and encouragement (circumstantially, spiritual discipline may be necessary, as Scripture indicates).

Proverbs 28:13 reminds us, People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy (NLT). When we share our struggles with trusted believers, we experience God's freeing grace through their prayers and encouragement.

Easter also reminds us of the ultimate righteousness we receive through Jesus. In other words, He has given us “right standing” before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of His sacrifice, we are made right with God, enabling our prayers to align with His will. Righteousness is not perfection but living in step with God through faith (Romans 3:22). 

James assures us that the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Earnest prayer flows from a heart fully engaged with God and confident in His ability to move. Hebrews 11:6 says, It is impossible to please God without faith, and Matthew 17:20 tells us that faith-filled prayers can move mountains. 

The prayers of a righteous person are effective because they align with God’s purposes. 

Jesus modeled this perfectly when He prayed, “Father, I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42, NLT). Walking in righteousness allows us to pray confidently, knowing we are in step with God’s heart.

Foster relationships with believers who provide a safe environment for confession—encouraging you to bring your transgressions before the Lord. 

Cultivate righteousness by seeking God’s will through worship, obedience, and reflection on His Word. 

Prayer is not about eloquence but earnestness—bringing your heart honestly before God.

James 5:16 reminds us that prayer is both powerful and essential. As we confess, intercede, and pursue righteousness, we open the door for God’s transformative power in our lives and the lives of others. 

As we draw closer to Easter, let the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection shape your prayers. Confess boldly, pray earnestly, and trust that His transformative work will bring healing and restoration. In Christ, your prayers have great power and produce extraordinary results.