James 1 ~ Praying Scripture

Please read James 1.

Meditate on verse 1a.

James, a bond-servant of God and of the LORD Jesus Christ…

James is a letter written by the half-brother of Jesus Christ.  Before the resurrection of Christ, James was a mocking younger brother who thought Jesus was crazy (John 7:1-9; Mark 3:20-21).  A risen LORD so changed his skeptical life, he not only became a Christian, he became the head of the church at Jerusalem and mentored Paul (Acts 1; 15; 21; Galatians 1:15-19). 

In the letter which bears his name, James laid no claim to the fame of being Christ’s brother, rather he said he was a bond-servant, and Jesus Christ was his LORD.  A resurrected Savior changes a person for eternity.

This letter is crucial for your walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  From his salutation, James described true discipleship.  If you are a follower of Christ, you will be His bond-servant.  A bond-servant is one who chooses to stay with a benevolent master rather than leaving to live life on their own.  The bond-servant gives their master their ear to have an awl pierce the lobe, permanently marking the person as belonging to another.  Are you a bond-servant of Jesus Christ?  Does He have your ear?  Are His the words you hear and obey?  And is He LORD?  Is He your Master, the One possessing supreme power and authority in your life? 

Pray James 1:1, 21-22 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD Jesus Christ,

make ___________ and me Your bond-servants.

Help us put aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness.

In humility let us receive the Word implanted,

which is able to save our souls.

Let us prove ourselves doers of the Word

and not merely hearers who delude ourselves.

In Your name, Jesus~”