Faith Works to Make Prayer Effective Studies in the Epistle of James Faith Works to Make Prayer Effective

Faith… What is Faith about? What is Faith? Heb 11:1, 6 Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus calming the storm Jesus’ miracles have been growing bigger and bigger 4:39 – Jesus rebukes the storm 4:40 – “Do you still have no faith?” (see Luke 8:25) 4:41 – “Who then is this…?” Faith is closely related to knowing who God is! Strive to understand who our Heavenly Father is!

Faith… What is Faith about? We cannot have faith in the Word of God if we do not have faith in God! Getting to know God through His Word allows us to develop faith in Him We apply the same process with people all the time.

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Faith… What is Faith about? We cannot have faith in the Word of God if we do not have faith in God! To have faith in God we get to know Him through His Word We apply the same process with people all the time. My faith in the Word of God exists because of my faith in God James 2:21-23 – “Abraham believed God…” Abraham believed the Person behind the commandments!

Faith… What is Faith about? A brief parenthesis Faith is about knowing God so we can trust Him We obey God’s Word because of the Holy God that is behind It! Ex. “I am the LORD” in the Law of Moses A brief parenthesis Unanswered questions and doubts do not help faith Questions about God are answered by God’s Word Seek to understand the entire picture Knowing God is necessary to faith… …and prayer is an obvious connection to faith

…and Prayer What is prayer about? Thanksgiving, Praise to God… …and requests to God James 1:5 – You need wisdom? Ask God… However, let us make sure that we do not create in our minds a misconception of Who God is when we go to Him in prayer with our requests:

…and Prayer What is prayer about? Thanksgiving, Praise to God… …and requests to God James 1:5 – You need wisdom? Ask God… However, let us make sure that we do not create in our minds a misconception of Who God is when we go to Him in prayer with our requests. God is not at our service Too often we “tell” God what we need Him to do for us For effective prayer: know God and respect Him

…and Prayer What is prayer about? Prayer is about perspective James 4:2-10, Dan 9:4-19, 9:4-7, 9:15 Prayer is about relationship Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, 6:12, Matt 7:7-11 2 Cor 12:7-10, Luke 22:39-46, 22:41-42, 22:45 Prayer is about conforming our will to God’s will Luke 22:42 No matter how God responds to our prayers, He is still God!!!

Faith to make Prayer effective Pray in faith… …knowing that God will give you what is good James 1:5-8 Matt 7:11 James 5:16b Pray with perseverance… …having faith that God can provide for our requests Luke 18:3, 7

Faith to make Prayer effective Do your part… …having faith that God will do His part Matt 7:7-11 James 1:2-4 Not my will, but Yours… …it is more about God than it is about me 2 Cor 12:7-10 Luke 22:42 (see Luke 22:44, Mark 14:33, Matt 26:37, Mark 14:34, Matt 26:38, Heb 5:8, Phil 2:6a, 7a, 8b)

There is no more effective prayer than one done with the faith that God will ultimately carry out His will.