The Book of James: The Power of Prayer
James 5:13-20 “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (NIV)
WHEN SHOULD I TURN TO GOD IN PRAYER?
1. When Life Feels Heavy
James 5:13a Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. (NIV)
Psalm 18:6a In my distress I called to the Lord. (NIV)
James 5:13b Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. (NIV)
2. When I Need God’s Healing
James 5:14-15a Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.(NIV)
James 5:15a …the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. (NIV)
3. When I Need Spiritual Restoration
James 5:16a Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (NIV)
WHO CAN PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE?
- Ordinary People Who Trust an Extraordinary God
James 5:17a Elijah was a human being, even as we are. (NIV)
HOW DO I EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF PRAYER?
1. Pray Specifically
James 4:2b You do not have because you do not ask God. (NIV)
2. Pray with the Right Heart
James 4:3a When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives… (NIV)
3. Pray with a Life That Honors God
James 5:16b The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (NIV)
Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (NIV)
4. Pray with Expectant Faith
James 1:6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt… (NIV)