Call the Elders

It is important that people know what their assets are. In the financial terms that means how much money you have the in the bank, your investments, and any property of value. When you need something you just go to your bank and withdraw what is needed. This is also true in the body of Christ. We can think of the church as our "bank" that houses so many, but not all, of our spiritual assets.
One of these assets are the elders of the church. I know that people usually think of the pastors first, and that is fine, but the elders' role in the church is so important. Pastors weren't meant to, and cannot not do it all. There are too many responsibilities and duties that need to be done for a pastor, or pastors to handle them all.
An elder, as defined by The Free Dictionary (online), is one greater than another in age or seniority, superior to another in rank, an older influential member of a family, tribe, or community, and one of the governing officers of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions.
So you can see that an elder is someone who has wisdom, knowledge and experience. You will also understand why, yesterday, after feeling so overwhelmed I decided I must return to Monday night prayer and be in the midst of the praying elders of my church. I attend Monday night prayer service every week that I can, but with mom home from the hospital and very weak, I have been unable to attend the prayer meeting as I have desired.
When I attended last night I did with a heavy heart. When I left home mom is crying in despair and I felt guilty for leaving her and dad at home, but I needed to be in the midst of powerful praying people. I have also been a bit stressed about other issues in my life.
When I got to church I prayed Psalms 55. I mean I just read the passage as part of my prayer. I continued on my own and prayed for my mother. I burst out in tears as I expressed my great distress over my mother's condition. The response of my fellow intercessors and elders was immediate. Everyone prayed for me, mom and my entire family with such faith and conviction that it has given me more faith and courage to live on doing my best without fear. When I returned home and told mom how everyone prayed for her, she was so relieved.
It is so important that we know what our church (spiritual bank) has so many assets that we never use. If you need help in any way call upon the elders in your church and have them pray for you. In James 5:13-15 it states, "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray? Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the Church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well: the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." NIV
I can tell you from personal experience you will be blessed.