The Power of Prayer
The Power of Prayer: Lessons from James 5:13-20
In the final sermon of a series on James, we explore the powerful conclusion of this practical book. James 5:13-20 provides essential guidance on prayer, healing, and restoration that remains relevant for believers today.
What does continuous prayer and praise look like in a Christian's life?
Healthy relationships require continuous communication - not just when things are bad or only when things are good. The same principle applies to our relationship with God. James tells us: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." (James 5:13)
This instruction reminds us not to forget God on the mountaintops, in the valleys, or anywhere in between. We should continuously grow our relationship with Him through communication.
Paul reinforces this in Philippians 4:6-7: "Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." He also instructs believers to "pray without ceasing" in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
How does prayer work when believers agree together?
James continues: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14) There is tremendous power in agreement. When believers unite in faith through prayer, believing together for God to do the impossible, breakthroughs happen. Jesus promised in Matthew 18:19-20: "If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
The practice of anointing with oil is grounded in Old Testament traditions. It serves as a visible, symbolic act marking someone in the natural realm as set apart by God for supernatural intervention. When Samuel anointed David with oil (1 Samuel 16:13), the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him.
In this act, faith is essential from both the sick person and those praying. They agree together that God will move supernaturally to bring healing and breakthrough.
What might prevent healing and breakthrough in our lives?
James makes an important connection between healing and sin: "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:15-16) Sometimes sickness and bondage can be in our lives because of unrepentant sin. In John 5, after healing a man who had been sick for 38 years, Jesus told him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you."
However, this isn't always the case. In John 9, when disciples asked whether a man born blind had sinned or his parents had sinned, Jesus replied, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." God answers every prayer in three ways: yes, no, or wait. The "yes" is exciting when God brings immediate breakthrough. The "no" can be difficult when a door clearly shuts. But the "wait" may be hardest of all - requiring persistent faith when the answer isn't immediate.
Why is righteous, fervent prayer so powerful?
"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit." (James 5:16-18) James highlights that Elijah was "a man with a nature like ours" - he wasn't superhuman. Yet his fervent prayers brought dramatic results. This reminds us that as God's children, we have the same privilege and capacity for effective prayer.
Elijah prayed with great faith despite living in a spiritually dry climate where Israel had forgotten God and compromised their identity. He didn't base his faith on the spiritual condition around him but on who God is.
Too often, we give up quickly in prayer or offer ritual prayers without real faith. Instead of creating doctrinal loopholes to explain away God's power, we should continue to believe in faith for the impossible, knowing that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
How should we respond to those who wander from faith?
James concludes: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20) After emphasizing effective prayer, James transitions to this final call to action - bringing wandering believers back to faith. Prayer plays a vital role in this process, turning hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.
However, prayer and action must go together. Some believers pray a lot but never step out in faith and act on that faith. Others act immediately on impulse without being led by the Spirit. Healthy Christian growth comes from both a vibrant prayer life and a life marked by action.
The call to restore wanderers isn't just for pastors - it's for all believers. When brothers and sisters in Christ reach out to those who have wandered, they do it out of love, caring more about the person's soul than about possibly offending them.
Life Application
William Carey, known as the father of modern missions, exemplifies the power of combining prayer and action. Despite opposition, he prayed fervently for unreached nations and eventually went to India himself. Though the work was difficult and conversions slow, his persistent prayer prepared him to persevere. His motto was: "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God."
This week, consider these questions:
Challenge yourself to combine fervent prayer with faithful action. Don't just pray for the lost - be willing to go to them. Don't just act on impulse - be led by the Spirit through prayer. As you marry prayer and action together, expect God to work in powerful ways through your life.
In the final sermon of a series on James, we explore the powerful conclusion of this practical book. James 5:13-20 provides essential guidance on prayer, healing, and restoration that remains relevant for believers today.
What does continuous prayer and praise look like in a Christian's life?
Healthy relationships require continuous communication - not just when things are bad or only when things are good. The same principle applies to our relationship with God. James tells us: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." (James 5:13)
This instruction reminds us not to forget God on the mountaintops, in the valleys, or anywhere in between. We should continuously grow our relationship with Him through communication.
Paul reinforces this in Philippians 4:6-7: "Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." He also instructs believers to "pray without ceasing" in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
How does prayer work when believers agree together?
James continues: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14) There is tremendous power in agreement. When believers unite in faith through prayer, believing together for God to do the impossible, breakthroughs happen. Jesus promised in Matthew 18:19-20: "If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
The practice of anointing with oil is grounded in Old Testament traditions. It serves as a visible, symbolic act marking someone in the natural realm as set apart by God for supernatural intervention. When Samuel anointed David with oil (1 Samuel 16:13), the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him.
In this act, faith is essential from both the sick person and those praying. They agree together that God will move supernaturally to bring healing and breakthrough.
What might prevent healing and breakthrough in our lives?
James makes an important connection between healing and sin: "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:15-16) Sometimes sickness and bondage can be in our lives because of unrepentant sin. In John 5, after healing a man who had been sick for 38 years, Jesus told him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you."
However, this isn't always the case. In John 9, when disciples asked whether a man born blind had sinned or his parents had sinned, Jesus replied, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." God answers every prayer in three ways: yes, no, or wait. The "yes" is exciting when God brings immediate breakthrough. The "no" can be difficult when a door clearly shuts. But the "wait" may be hardest of all - requiring persistent faith when the answer isn't immediate.
Why is righteous, fervent prayer so powerful?
"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit." (James 5:16-18) James highlights that Elijah was "a man with a nature like ours" - he wasn't superhuman. Yet his fervent prayers brought dramatic results. This reminds us that as God's children, we have the same privilege and capacity for effective prayer.
Elijah prayed with great faith despite living in a spiritually dry climate where Israel had forgotten God and compromised their identity. He didn't base his faith on the spiritual condition around him but on who God is.
Too often, we give up quickly in prayer or offer ritual prayers without real faith. Instead of creating doctrinal loopholes to explain away God's power, we should continue to believe in faith for the impossible, knowing that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
How should we respond to those who wander from faith?
James concludes: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20) After emphasizing effective prayer, James transitions to this final call to action - bringing wandering believers back to faith. Prayer plays a vital role in this process, turning hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.
However, prayer and action must go together. Some believers pray a lot but never step out in faith and act on that faith. Others act immediately on impulse without being led by the Spirit. Healthy Christian growth comes from both a vibrant prayer life and a life marked by action.
The call to restore wanderers isn't just for pastors - it's for all believers. When brothers and sisters in Christ reach out to those who have wandered, they do it out of love, caring more about the person's soul than about possibly offending them.
Life Application
William Carey, known as the father of modern missions, exemplifies the power of combining prayer and action. Despite opposition, he prayed fervently for unreached nations and eventually went to India himself. Though the work was difficult and conversions slow, his persistent prayer prepared him to persevere. His motto was: "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God."
This week, consider these questions:
- Am I maintaining continuous communication with God in both good and difficult times?
- When I pray for breakthrough, do I pray with genuine faith or just ritual words?
- Am I willing to be part of the answer to my prayers through action?
- Is there someone who has wandered from faith that I should reach out to?
Challenge yourself to combine fervent prayer with faithful action. Don't just pray for the lost - be willing to go to them. Don't just act on impulse - be led by the Spirit through prayer. As you marry prayer and action together, expect God to work in powerful ways through your life.
Recent
Archive
2025
February
March
April
No Comments