2. REFOCUSING THE CHURCH

3. “Refocusing on PRAYER” James 5:15-16
REFOCUSING THE CHURCH
“Refocusing on PRAYER”
James 5:15-16

4. "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. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:15-16)

5. 1. Prayer communes with God.
Connecting or Communing
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."
Psalm 100:1 "Shout for joy to the Lord."
John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (Jesus).
Matthew 21:22  "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

6. 2. Prayer has a template To God the Father
"Our Father who art in heaven" is the opening line of the Lord's Prayer.
With the Spirit's power
"The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26-27)
In Jesus' name
"In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:23-24

7. 3. Prayer makes a difference
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
"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. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:15-16)

8. 4. Prayer takes discipline
A SIMPLE WAY TO PRAY
1.) instruction;
2.) thanksgiving;
3.) confession;
4.) petition.

9. 5. The Practice of prayer 1. Set a time and place 2. Listen to God
3.     Get a plan
Include others
5.     Grow in prayer