The Prayer of Faith
James 5.13-18
The Prayer of Faith
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 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 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. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 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. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. ~ESV~
Here at Calvary New Harvest we believe in the power of corporate prayer. Our fellowship was founded on prayer and we still believe the God hears our prayers. This week (as we do every Tuesday) we gathered to pray for the congregation of New Harvest. Pastor Dave decided that we should spend the morning praying specifically for those sick and hurting. As we went around the table we prayed for the marriages of our fellowship, we prayed for the people in need of healing, and we prayed for our country from the President to our own mayor.
James writes about the heart for when we come to LORD in prayer;
Vs 13 is there any suffering then let them pray is there any cheerful then give praise.
Good or bad our condition should still cause to pray!
Vs14 are there any sick then call on the leaders of the church them let them pray and anoint you with oil.
Vs15 why is it us no friends it’s the prayer of faith that heals us!
Vs 16 notice James warning to us - if we need to fix sin then we should do it because it will hinder the work of God in our life.
Don't let the enemy lie to you that since you're a sinner you shouldn't pray its because we do sin that we need to pray and receive forgiveness.
I like how the NLT puts that type of prayer ; “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” NLT
Vs 17 Elijah was a mighty man of God, but he was a man just like us, but he “prayed fervently”
Elijah prayed with passion - do you pray that way? God let us pray with passion and believe You not only hear but that you answer!
Vs 18 Elijah saw God move once before so he knew God would answer again.
Remember those times that LORD answered your prayers and draw on that for the belief in your prayer life today.
Lord help us to always be a church that fervently prays with passion for you another and pray with the belief You will answer for Your glory alone.
Amen