JAMES 5:15-18 Powerful Prayer

Why did Austin want to pray before his surgery?

Powerful Prayer HE UNDERSTOOD THE POWER OF PRAYER! Why did Austin want to pray before his surgery?

Powerful Prayer Prayer is a powerful force.

Powerful Prayer Prayer is a powerful force.  “You shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am’” (Is 58:9, ESV).

Powerful Prayer Prayer is a powerful force.  “You shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am’” (Is 58:9, ESV).  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Lk 11:9-10, ESV).

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.  “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (1:2-3, ESV).

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.  1:2-3.  “As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (5:10- 11, ESV).

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.  Suffering is part of the human experience.

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.  Suffering is part of the human experience.  “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1, ESV).

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.  Suffering is part of the human experience.  “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1, ESV).  But, we don’t need those words to know that suffering exists!

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.  Suffering is part of the human experience.  In our suffering, we have the resource of POWERFUL PRAYER.

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.  Suffering is part of the human experience.  In our suffering, we have the resource of POWERFUL PRAYER.  “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray” (5:13, ESV).

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.  Suffering is part of the human experience.  In our suffering, we have the resource of POWERFUL PRAYER.  “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray” (5:13, ESV).  But, I don’t just want to pray.

Powerful Prayer The Christians to whom James wrote needed to understand the power of prayer.  These Christians were struggling greatly.  Suffering is part of the human experience.  In our suffering, we have the resource of POWERFUL PRAYER.  “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray” (5:13, ESV).  But, I don’t just want to pray. I want to know that God hears me.

Powerful Prayer How can my prayers be powerful?

Powerful Prayer PERSUADED PRAYER PURE PRAYER PRACTICAL PRAYER PASSIONATE PRAYER

Powerful Prayer VV A Powerful Prayer is a PERSUADED PRAYER

Powerful Prayer Powerful prayer is a persuaded prayer—one that we pray in faith.

Powerful Prayer Powerful prayer is a persuaded prayer—one that we pray in faith. “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. 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” (vv 14-15, ESV).

Powerful Prayer The Greek term “sick” is used for both physical & spiritual illnesses.

Powerful Prayer The Greek term “sick” is used for both physical & spiritual illnesses.  It often means to be “weak in faith.”

Powerful Prayer The Greek term “sick” is used for both physical & spiritual illnesses.  It often means to be “weak in faith.” “As for the one who is weak [i.e., sick] in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions” (Rom 14:1, ESV).

Powerful Prayer The Greek term “sick” is used for both physical & spiritual illnesses.  It often means to be “weak in faith.” “As for the one who is weak [i.e., sick] in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions” (Rom 14:1, ESV).  Because of the connection in this text between confession of sin & healing, I personally believe this is spiritual illness.

Powerful Prayer But, the type of illness doesn’t matter, for God is all powerful, & it’s the “prayer of faith” that saves.

Powerful Prayer But, the type of illness doesn’t matter, for God is all powerful, & it’s the “prayer of faith” that saves.  If we want our prayers answered, we must pray in faith.

Powerful Prayer But, the type of illness doesn’t matter, for God is all powerful, & it’s the “prayer of faith” that saves.  If we want our prayers answered, we must pray in faith.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (Js 1:5-8, ESV).

Powerful Prayer But, the type of illness doesn’t matter, for God is all powerful, & it’s the “prayer of faith” that saves.  If we want our prayers answered, we must pray in faith.  Js 1:5-8.  “I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mk 11:24, ESV).

Powerful Prayer But, the type of illness doesn’t matter, for God is all powerful, & it’s the “prayer of faith” that saves.  If we want our prayers answered, we must pray in faith.  Js 1:5-8.  Mk 11:24.  “I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Mt 17:20, ESV).

Powerful Prayer But, the type of illness doesn’t matter, for God is all powerful, & it’s the “prayer of faith” that saves.  If we want our prayers answered, we must pray in faith.  Js 1:5-8.  Mk 11:24.  “I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Mt 17:20, ESV). The apostles—baptized in the Holy Spirit—needed faith to perform miracles.

Powerful Prayer But, the type of illness doesn’t matter, for God is all powerful, & it’s the “prayer of faith” that saves.  If we want our prayers answered, we must pray in faith.  Js 1:5-8.  Mk 11:24.  “I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Mt 17:20, ESV). The apostles—baptized in the Holy Spirit—needed faith to perform miracles. How much faith do you suppose we need for God to hear our prayers?

Powerful Prayer God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want.

Powerful Prayer God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want.  But, we understand that God always answers according to his will.

Powerful Prayer God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want.  But, we understand that God always answers according to his will.  “This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 Jn 5:14, ESV).

Powerful Prayer God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want.  But, we understand that God always answers according to his will.  “This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 Jn 5:14, ESV). We know, therefore, that if we do not receive a desired answer to prayer, we have not prayed according to God’s will.

Powerful Prayer If I don’t know if God will answer the way I want, how can I pray in faith?

Powerful Prayer I CAN PRAY WITH ASSURANCE! If I don’t know if God will answer the way I want, how can I pray in faith?

Powerful Prayer Shall we pray with such faith?

Powerful Prayer V 16 b A Powerful Prayer is a PURE PRAYER

Powerful Prayer Powerful prayers come from a pure—i.e., righteous— heart.

Powerful Prayer Powerful prayers come from a pure—i.e., righteous— heart. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (v 16b, ESV).

Powerful Prayer Prayer itself does not have great power.

Powerful Prayer Prayer itself does not have great power; the power of a righteous person has great power.

Powerful Prayer Prayer itself does not have great power; the power of a righteous person has great power.  “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Ps 66:18, ESV).

Powerful Prayer Prayer itself does not have great power; the power of a righteous person has great power.  Ps 66:18.  “Then they will cry to the LORD, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil” (Micah 3:4, ESV).

Powerful Prayer Prayer itself does not have great power; the power of a righteous person has great power.  Ps 66:18.  Micah 3:4.  “Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him” (1 Jn 3:22, ESV).

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people.

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people.  Abimelech & Abraham.

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people.  Abimelech & Abraham: “Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. For the LORD had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife” (Gen 20:17-18, ESV).

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people.  Abimelech & Abraham: (Gen 20:17-18).  Jeroboam & the man of God.

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people.  Abimelech & Abraham: (Gen 20:17-18).  Jeroboam & the man of God: Jeroboam then “said to the man of God, ‘Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.’ And the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before” (1 Ki 13:6, ESV).

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people. Why did God heal Abimelech when Abraham prayed?

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people. Why did God heal Abimelech when Abraham prayed?  God told Abimelech that Abraham was a prophet (Gen 20:7).

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people. Why did God heal Abimelech when Abraham prayed?  God told Abimelech that Abraham was a prophet (Gen 20:7).  Moses also records that Abraham “believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Gen 15:6, ESV).

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people. Why did God heal Abimelech when Abraham prayed?  God told Abimelech that Abraham was a prophet (Gen 20:7).  Moses also records that Abraham “believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Gen 15:6, ESV).  Abraham was righteous & God heard his prayer!

Powerful Prayer If we want God to hear our prayers, we must be a pure (righteous) people. Why did God heal Abimelech when Abraham prayed? Notice that it was a “man of God” who prayed for Jeroboam.

Powerful Prayer Do you want to know that God hears your every prayer this morning?

Powerful Prayer ARE YOU PRAYING FROM A RIGHTEOUS HEART? Do you want to know that God hears your every prayer this morning?

Powerful Prayer V 17 A Powerful Prayer is a PRACTICAL PRAYER

Powerful Prayer Powerful prayer is a practical prayer—it can be prayed by anyone.

Powerful Prayer Powerful prayer is a practical prayer—it can be prayed by anyone. “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” (v 17, ESV).

Powerful Prayer Elijah was a man just like we are.

Powerful Prayer Elijah was a man just like we are.  The Greek means to suffer like someone else.

Powerful Prayer Elijah was a man just like we are.  The Greek means to suffer like someone else; the idea is that there’s no difference between us & Elijah.

Powerful Prayer Elijah was a man just like we are.  The Greek means to suffer like someone else; the idea is that there’s no difference between us & Elijah.  We might be tempted to think that Elijah’s prayers were more powerful because he was a prophet.

Powerful Prayer Elijah was a man just like we are.  The Greek means to suffer like someone else; the idea is that there’s no difference between us & Elijah.  We might be tempted to think that Elijah’s prayers were more powerful because he was a prophet.  He was indeed endowed with the Spirit.

Powerful Prayer Elijah was a man just like we are.  The Greek means to suffer like someone else; the idea is that there’s no difference between us & Elijah.  We might be tempted to think that Elijah’s prayers were more powerful because he was a prophet.  He was indeed endowed with the Spirit.  But, that did not make his prayers any more powerful than ours.

Powerful Prayer Elijah prayed & brought about a 3 ½ year drought during Ahab’s reign.

Powerful Prayer Elijah prayed & brought about a 3 ½ year drought during Ahab’s reign.  King Ahab, of course, was an evil man.

Powerful Prayer Elijah prayed & brought about a 3 ½ year drought during Ahab’s reign.  King Ahab, of course, was an evil man.  As judgment, Elijah says, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word” (1 Ki 17:1, ESV).

Powerful Prayer Elijah prayed & brought about a 3 ½ year drought during Ahab’s reign.  King Ahab, of course, was an evil man.  As judgment, Elijah says, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word” (1 Ki 17:1, ESV).  Notice that Elijah doesn’t at all deny the possibility of dew or rain.

Powerful Prayer Elijah prayed & brought about a 3 ½ year drought during Ahab’s reign.  King Ahab, of course, was an evil man.  As judgment, Elijah says, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word” (1 Ki 17:1, ESV).  Notice that Elijah doesn’t at all deny the possibility of dew or rain.  But, it would only come through his prayers.

Powerful Prayer Nothing at all separates us from Elijah.

Powerful Prayer Nothing at all separates us from Elijah.  We can pray just as practically (and as powerfully) as did he.

Powerful Prayer Nothing at all separates us from Elijah.  We can pray just as practically (and as powerfully) as did he.  Only two requirements for our prayers to be as powerful as Elijah’s.

Powerful Prayer Nothing at all separates us from Elijah.  We can pray just as practically (and as powerfully) as did he.  Only two requirements for our prayers to be as powerful as Elijah’s:  We must be in Christ.

Powerful Prayer Nothing at all separates us from Elijah.  We can pray just as practically (and as powerfully) as did he.  Only two requirements for our prayers to be as powerful as Elijah’s:  We must be in Christ: “Through [Jesus] we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph 2:18, ESV).

Powerful Prayer Nothing at all separates us from Elijah.  We can pray just as practically (and as powerfully) as did he.  Only two requirements for our prayers to be as powerful as Elijah’s:  We must be in Christ: “Through [Jesus] we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph 2:18, ESV).  We must also, according to this morning’s text, live righteously.

Powerful Prayer We have access to the same God who stopped rain for 3 ½ years!

Powerful Prayer SHALL WE BE THOSE WHO PRAY PRACTICALLY? We have access to the same God who stopped rain for 3 ½ years!

Powerful Prayer V 17 A Powerful Prayer is a PASSIONATE PRAYER

Powerful Prayer Powerful prayer must also be a passionate—i.e., fervent—prayer.

Powerful Prayer Powerful prayer must also be a passionate—i.e., fervent—prayer. “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” (v 17, ESV).

Powerful Prayer The Greek here is most intriguing.

Powerful Prayer The Greek here is most intriguing.  It literally reads: “Elijah was a man with the same affections as we, and he prayed in prayer that it might not rain.”

Powerful Prayer The Greek here is most intriguing.  It literally reads: “Elijah was a man with the same affections as we, and he prayed in prayer that it might not rain.”  Elijah did not just pray, but he “prayed in prayer.”

Powerful Prayer The Greek here is most intriguing.  It literally reads: “Elijah was a man with the same affections as we, and he prayed in prayer that it might not rain.”  Elijah did not just pray, but he “prayed in prayer.”  The idiom was borrowed from the Hebrew where it means to pray fervently.

Powerful Prayer The Greek here is most intriguing.  It literally reads: “Elijah was a man with the same affections as we, and he prayed in prayer that it might not rain.”  Elijah did not just pray, but he “prayed in prayer.”  The idiom was borrowed from the Hebrew where it means to pray fervently.  Elijah poured his heart out to God that it might not rain.

Powerful Prayer There is a great need for passionate prayer.

Powerful Prayer There is a great need for passionate prayer.  Jesus “told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Lk 18:1, ESV).

Powerful Prayer There is a great need for passionate prayer.  Jesus “told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Lk 18:1, ESV).  “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Rom 12:12, ESV).

Powerful Prayer How is your prayer life this morning?

Powerful Prayer Why do prayers need to be passionate?

Powerful Prayer Why do prayers need to be passionate?  Since God doesn’t always answer prayers the way I want, why bother?

Powerful Prayer Why do prayers need to be passionate?  Since God doesn’t always answer prayers the way I want, why bother?  Passionate prayer shows my dependence upon God.

Powerful Prayer Are your prayers fervent?

Powerful Prayer I have God on my side!

Powerful Prayer I HAVE A GOD WHO ANSWERS PRAYERS! I have God on my side!

Powerful Prayer Does God answer your prayers this morning?

Powerful Prayer ARE YOUR PRAYERS THOSE OF A RIGHTEOUS PERSON? Does God answer your prayers this morning?

Powerful Prayer Do you need to come & ask for this church’s prayers?