The Prayerful Salt of the Earth
Sermon September 29, 2024, James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50
Title: The Prayerful Salt of the Earth
Pastor Fred Okello
Last week, we discussed how important it is to be anchored in God’s Word in order to serve with humility. Today, the scriptures point us to two profound truths: the power of prayer and our responsibility as “salt of the earth.” These two ideas go hand in hand, demonstrating how our relationship with God through prayer allows us to act out our mission in the world as His faithful witnesses.
James reminds us of the tremendous power that prayer has in the life of a Christian. Here, the advice given to us is to pray in all circumstances—when we are in trouble, happy, or unwell. Prayer connects us directly to God, providing us with power, healing, and restoration. There is a high-speed connectivity with God when we pray! We bond with God when we pray, we fellowship with God when we pray, we dialogue with God through prayer. Prayer is a two-way traffic! That means we speak, and God speaks!
James is asking, “Is anyone among you in trouble?” “Let them pray. When we confront hardships, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or try to handle things on our own. However, James emphasizes that prayer is the first step to inviting God into our troubles and seeking His guidance.
“Is anybody happy? Allow them to sing songs of praise. Prayer is for both difficult and joyful times. When we receive blessings, it is appropriate to recognize God’s goodness and thank Him.
Last Wednesday, during our chapel time with the preschoolers, I asked everyone to close their eyes and informed them that whoever I touched on the head would have the opportunity to sing. The children gladly engaged, each wanting to present their song. As our time together came to a conclusion, a few kids were still to take their turn. Suddenly, one child cried out, “Pastor Fred, you haven’t touched my head!” and numerous others followed suit. Moved by their desire to be included, I concluded our session by resting my hand on each child’s head and praying as they returned to class, ensuring that they all felt seen, loved, and blessed.
“Are any of you sick? Let them call on the church elders to pray over them and anoint them with oil.” Prayer offers healing, not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. God is the Great Physician, and prayer of faith brings peace, strength, and healing.
James also emphasizes the need of confession, saying, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” There is healing in vulnerability, admitting our flaws, and pulling one other up in prayer. Mutual accountability and support help to establish stronger, healthier faith communities.
The example of Elijah demonstrates the power and effectiveness of a righteous person’s prayers. Elijah’s prayers caused the rain to stop and restart—what a testament to the power of a life dedicated to God through prayer!
In Mark 9:38-50, Jesus emphasizes the importance of being the “salt of the earth.” Salt was a valuable commodity during Jesus’ day, utilized for preservation, flavoring, and purification. As believers, we are required to protect what is good in the world, to enrich our lives with God’s truth, and to live lives of purity and integrity.
Jesus calls us to be steadfast in our faith and to uphold the gospel’s principles. In a world rife with corruption, immorality, and selfishness, we are to be the moral compass, upholding God’s principles of righteousness and fairness. We are called to proclaim the truth in love, even if it is uncomfortable, and to live lives that mirror the purity of God’s word.
Salt provides taste to food, making it more delicious and gratifying. Similarly, we should live our lives full of Christ’s joy, peace, and love. People should see the difference in how we treat people, handle adversity, and live in community. We bring hope to a world that is frequently insipid and bland due to sin. Our presence, like salt, should pull others closer to God’s love.
Jesus warns that if salt loses its saltiness, it is worthless. As Christians, we must guard our hearts and lives against anything that would undermine our usefulness in the world. Whether it’s immorality, complacency, or a lack of prayer, we must endeavor to live pure and holy lives, always working to maintain our relationship with God and our witness to the world.
Jesus warns us against causing others to stumble highlight the gravity of our duty. We should never lead someone into sin through our acts, words, or attitudes. Instead, we should lead others to Christ by setting a good example of holiness and grace.
There is a direct link between the power of prayer and being the salt of the earth. Prayer helps us stay connected to God, the source of our strength and effectiveness. Without prayer, we lose our saltiness, our power to change the world for Christ. Prayer provides us with the wisdom and courage we need to fulfill our calling.
When we pray, we ask God to keep us rooted in His Word and truth, so that we can preserve what is good. Through prayer, we seek God’s assistance in living lives that add flavor to the world while pointing people to the pleasure and love found in Christ. Prayer allows us to live in purity, free from temptation and sin, which can weaken our effectiveness as witnesses.
Brothers and sisters, let us commit to being prayerful individuals who transform the world by serving as the salt that God has asked us to be. Amen.