Having a Bad Day

"Is anyone among you discouraged? Let him pray." - James 5:13

James was one of Jesus' disciples and witnesses to His life, works, and resurrection. If anyone knew a thing or two about feeling down, feeling discouraged, it was James. He lived in a time when a person he believed in, Jesus, was murdered. He had to hide out of fear for his own life and see a lot of people lose faith and abandon him on the road to Christianity. Therefore, when James, 20 or 30 years after Jesus' ascension into Heaven, writes to the church telling them to pray if they are discouraged, we need to listen and follow orders. He had been there. He knew what it was like to have a bad day and not be at all sure what was going to happen in his life, if things were going to work out ok or not. But through the good and the bad, even the very bad, James would pray.

We all have our bad days. Lonely days, tired days, and overwhelming days. Don't look to yourself for a way out because we are all weak, but there is One who makes us strong if we call upon Him. James knew this God and even when he was sad due to his persecution and the persecutions of those he loved, James would pray because He knew that only the Lord can gladden hearts and renew us with the energy we need.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, You know me inside and out. I need You right now because I'm upset, I'm tired. I just don't feel right and I'm counting on You to liven my spirit. Help me to remove all things that block You and come into my heart. In Your Name we pray, amen.