Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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PRAYER OF FAITH
James : 5 :13 -19 
VS. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up;
1. Called to be an Interceding Community
 Apostle James speaks of healing from the communitarian aspect. The faith community is asked to intercede on behalf of the sick and pray for the sick. v : 15: -“ The prayer offered in faith will make the person well”.
 Healing is only effective through reconciliation. Reconciliation between God and man and between man and man, v:16 : “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other. The Mar Thoma Church practices the sacrament of ‘Anointing the sick’. This sacrament can be administered for the healing of the sick expressing solidarity and prayers of the faith community.
2. Called to be a Compassionate Community:
 Today the world lacks compassion and is bereft of compassionate people. It was compassion that led Jesus to heal the sick and feed the hungry. His compassion can be particularly seen in two events- His healing of the ear of His captor the high priest’s servant (Lk : 22 :51) and His prayer on the cross for His persecutors. “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing“ (Lk : 23 :34). Let us imbibe in us the compassionate qualities of our Lord.
 3. Called to be a healing Community:
 His compassion led Him to heal. His faith was expressed in action. Jesus healed through His words and where He felt the need He touched and healed. The world today needs a compassionate touch. 
 Jesus looked up to the heavenly Father as He always does and interceded for this man. The people were astonished and realized Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah. (Isaiah: 35 :5 -6 , Isaiah :42 :7
 Let us as a faith community extend our healing hands to our brothers and sisters in need. As we set apart this Sunday as Medical mission Sunday, let us pray for those engaged in the healing ministry and pray for the underprivileged who have no access or cannot afford medical care. Let us challenge ourselves to serve these brothers and sisters.
PRAYER
O Lord our Heavenly Father, we ask for a compassionate heart. We pray for those engaged in the healing ministry. We pray for the underprivileged who cannot afford medical care. Help us to use our time, talents and resources to help those in need. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Exodus :15 :26 “ ……For I am the Lord who heals you”.
Rev. Mathews Philip, Trinity M.T.C, Houston

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