RISING ABOVE HARD TIMES
Part 4 – How Prayer Changes Things
James 5:13-18
November 15, 2020
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor
INTRODUCTION
James 5:13-18 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. 14 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; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
1. There are some basics about prayer that we learn from the Bible.
A. Prayer helps us align with God’s will and purpose.
B. Prayer activates the power of God.
James 4:2 You do not have because you do not ask.
C. Prayer is intended to be a familiar conversation with God, not a formal string of “thee’s” and “thou’s.”
Matthew 6:7-8 And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.
D. Prayer is to be a continuous attitude of our life.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 …pray without ceasing;
E. The more you pray, the more comfortable it becomes.
2. FOUR MAIN AREAS OF PRAYER.
A. Prayer should be the first response in hurting times. (James 5:13)
1. James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
2. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.
B. Prayer should be a natural expression in happy times. (James 5:13)
1. James 5:13 Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.
2. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning.
C. Prayer should be where we turn when we are hurting physically. (James 5:14-15)
1. James 5:14-15 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; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
a. Call the Elders.
b. The Elders are to anoint those who are sick with oil.
c. We are to pray in accordance with God’s revealed will.
D. Pray immediately when we are hurting spiritually. (James 5:16)
1. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.
2. Instead of hiding your faults, confess them.
3. He is talking about confession to another you have wronged. He is talking about confession to another you love and trust about your weaknesses, failures and needs.
3. WHEN WE MAKE PRAYER SO IMPORTANT IN OUR LIFE WE WILL GET RESULTS. (James 5:16)
A. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
B. How do we place ourselves into a position for power results in prayer?
1. Live right.
Psalm 66:18 David said, “If I hide [regard, conceal] iniquity [sin] in my heart then the Lord will not hear.”
2. Pray in faith.
a. FAITH: “The Trusting Obedience To The Revealed Will of God.”
b. Praying in faith means that we ask God to show us His will and then obey it.
3. Pray with fervency.