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Bible verse
James 5:16
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
What it means
God never meant for us to carry our failures in secret. When we confess honestly to trusted believers and pray for one another, hidden wounds come into the light where healing begins. There is real power when God's people intercede in faith. This openness is only possible because Jesus already bore our sin and shame, so we no longer hide in fear. Bring your struggles into the fellowship of prayer, lift others up as they lift you, and let the Lord who saves also mend what is broken.
James 5:16 at a glance
| Reference | James 5:16 |
|---|---|
| Book | James |
| Chapter to read it in | James 5 |
| Topic | healing |
| Passages linked to it | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Jeremiah 29:12-13
- Proverbs 15:29
- Matthew 21:22
- Psalms 34:15
- John 9:31
- Psalms 145:18-19
- Jeremiah 33:3
- 1 Peter 2:24
- Matthew 7:7-11
- 1 John 3:22
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where do I find James 5:16?
It is in James, in James 5. Reading the whole chapter shows who is speaking, to whom, and why.
What other passages go with James 5:16?
Readers most often set it beside Jeremiah 29:12-13, Proverbs 15:29, Matthew 21:22, Psalms 34:15. Each is listed under Read it in context.
How can I pray James 5:16?
Read it slowly once, then say it back to God in your own words, one phrase at a time. Stop on the phrase that stays with you and stay there. You can also ask the family of God on The Living Bread to pray it with you.
Pray this
Lord Christ, you love the people of James 5:16 more than we can. We bring you James 5:16, healing. Let your Body in that place love one another and be one. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read all of James 5 today, not only the one verse.
- Write James 5:16 where you will see it, and read it aloud at the start and end of the day.
- Tell one person what this verse means to you, and ask what verse has carried them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Christ meets people in a place, and then walks on with them. Here are doors that walk on.
Read it, pray it, live it
On The Living Bread you can read the whole chapter, save this verse, ask Simon to explain it, pray it over your life, and share it with someone who needs it today.
