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Intention

To summon the Church to push past unbelief to unwavering faith, kneeling before the resurrected Messiah in earnest, righteous prayer for repentance for ourselves and Australia.

Scripture

“Then he appeared to James.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:7

“The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly”.

– James 5:16–17

Reflection

One great evidence of the Christian faith is the testimonies of the very first Christians. Many of those who knew Jesus personally and claimed to see Him alive were martyred for their beliefs.

The very first Christians were in an incredible, unique position. They either saw Jesus alive, or they made it up, and, knowing they were telling fibs for fun, were willing to die for the silly little Jesus game they invented.

While people will, on rare occasions, die for something they think is true, no one dies for what they know is false.

There’s only one possible choice: those first followers of Jesus told the truth and proved it with their own blood.

One such person was James, Jesus’ brother. The Jewish historian Josephus records that James was stoned to death in Jerusalem in AD 62, steadfastly proclaiming that his brother was Israel’s Messiah and soon-coming King.

Interestingly, James was once a strident sceptic of Jesus. John 7:1–5 tells us that all of Jesus’ brothers thought He was a fraud. They taunted Him, telling Jesus to go up to Jerusalem – the very place where His enemies wanted to kill Him.

That’s some family feud.

Fast-forward a few years, and James becomes the leader of the Jerusalem church for around 30 years. He then dies a martyr’s death.

What happened to James to cause this dramatic 180?

We could guess, but thanks to Paul, we don’t need to. He gives us these four words: after Jesus’ resurrection, “He appeared to James” (1 Corinthians 15:7).

It’s hard to imagine James’ intense shock followed by inexpressible grief. The elder brother he had ridiculed and scorned was none other than God in human form.

Such an experience was truly life-changing. It led to a lifetime of repentance and seeking righteousness.

James doesn’t just demonstrate by his martyr’s death that he saw Jesus alive. He also proves it by his life.

James was given the nickname “Camel-knees”. This badge of highest honour was affectionately bestowed on James because of his devotion to prayer on his knees.

His knees were so often on the ground, bowed down in prayer, that they grew calloused.

One early Christian writer tells us that he was “frequently found upon his knees begging forgiveness for the people, so that his knees became hard like those of a camel, in consequence of his constantly bending them in his worship of God.”

The way we position our bodies can communicate just as much, if not more, than the words that come out of our mouths. That’s one reason the Bible refers to the importance of our bodies’ posture in prayer.

“Come, let’s worship and bow down; let’s kneel before the Lord our Maker”, declares the psalmist (Psalm 95:6). The prophet Daniel kneeled “down on his knees” “three times a day” in prayer (Daniel 6:10).

Our bodies – the temples of the Holy Spirit – can and should be used in such a humble posture of holy worship.

James’ commitment to “earnest” and “righteous” (James 5:17) prayer can only be explained by the fact that he was praying to the resurrected King of kings.

James’ broken, stone-indented and battered dead body demonstrates his unwavering conviction that he saw his brother alive. So, too, his calloused knees displayed that same verdict.

This resurrection Sunday, let us live in the reality of the living, resurrected King. And, as we prepare for tomorrow’s National Day of Repentance, may we follow “Camel-knees’” humble and repentant example of earnest prayer, “begging forgiveness for the people” of Australia.

Video

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus Messiah, we bow down before you in earnest prayer because You are alive! What better day to pray for Your resurrection life to flow powerfully in our Church and nation than this day?

May Your Spirit work powerfully as we beg Your forgiveness of our nation. We beg You for the precious millions of people who don’t know You. Awaken the Church in resurrection power to send out the message that You are coming soon in Your kingly glory and that You freely invite all to be a part of Your kingdom.

We beg You for a spirit of repentance to be poured out upon us. Purify us of sin, so that living in righteousness, our earnest prayers to our living Saviour can avail much.

We long for the day when we see You face to face, when every knee will bow, and we fall down before You, forever. Amen.

Author Bio

Samuel lives with his wife and three young children in South Australia. He is fascinated by the impact of worldview and enjoys exploring how Christian faith relates to every area of life. An emerging writer and journalist, he has a background in the biological and geological sciences, ministry, and theology.

Prayer Points and Purpose for Turn the Tide 2025

1. A righteous government that upholds truth and Christian values. 1 Timothy 2:1–4

2. Wisdom for voters to perceive the true agenda of political parties. Proverbs 14:15

3. A church that disciples the nation in this window of grace. Matthew 28:18–20

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