I remember my freshman year of college as a student at a school in Dallas, living on campus and learning to navigate all these social settings that I had little previous experience.
That being the case, it was not uncommon (especially in my first semester) to find myself at the cafeteria with no friends around. I would often grab a book or my Bible so I would feel less awkward. One of those meals by myself has stuck in my head to this day. I was reading over James was blown away by James 5:16. I spent an hour contemplating and meditating on the nuances of "Confess your sins one to another and pray for each other that you may be healed" (my memorized version). I was struck by the fact that there is something in the confession and the prayers of another that can bring healing.
That verse has proved pivotal in shaping my prayer life - of holding prayers for others seriously, but also of being bold in asking others to pray for me when I'm struggling with sin. I have constantly experienced the impact of that verse as upon a confession to another, knowing they are praying for me and receiving their prayer releases provides release from the sin or struggle.
I have been amazed at how that verse has blessed me over the years. It is an amazing reminder of the value of spending time digging through Scripture; whether the study is for yourself or another, Scripture can transform the heart and mind and leave a lasting impact.
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