Sermon Notes
Sermon: Prayers of the Faithful by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: September 30, 2018
Key Passage: James 5:13-30
Key Points:
Opening
When do you pray? Even a person who does not pray regularly will turn to prayer in desperate times. It is used as a last-ditch effort. While prayer is powerful and can definitely help in desperate times, that is not really the definition or primary function of prayer. God gives us the gift of prayer. It is a way for us to communicate with God directly and to have a personal relationship with Him. James gives us some insight on a prayer-filled life in James 5:13-20. In this passage, James talks about the prayers of the faithful and gives four situations where prayer is necessary. It is necessary to pray during suffering, during sickness (spiritually or physically), for the nation, and for those who have strayed from Christ.
Four Situations
First, he says that if you are suffering then you should pray to God. Anyone can sing after the trouble has passed, but a mature Christian can sing in the midst of suffering and trouble. The primary bulk of our prayer life is full of intercessory prayer which further emphasizes our prayers for ourselves or for others amidst suffering.
Second, if you are cheerful, then you should praise God. A believer’s praise should be intelligent, meaningful, intentional, sincere, motivated by the Holy Spirit, and based on God’s Word. Our prayers and praise are expressions of our inner spiritual life.
Third, if you are sick, then call for others to pray over you and join you in prayer. The word here for sick is not necessarily in reference to physical illness. It has also been used for a weak faith or a weak conscience. James use the word here to point out those who are weak or weary in their faith journey. They have become morally or spiritually weak in the midst of great suffering. These people have simply lost their way and wandered from the faith. When James says we are to pray for these people, we are praying for revival and restoration rather than evangelism or redemption. This is not a prayer for the lost who have yet to find Christ. Rather, it is focusing on praying for those who know Christ but have wandered from the path. James also makes reference to anointing with oil. The word normally used for ceremonial anointing, which is what we often think of when we see a verse about anointing with oil, is not the word used here. The word for anointing with oil here is literally translated to “rub on oil”. It is referencing refreshment and grooming. Basically, it is about washing one’s face.
Fourth, we are to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other in our weaknesses and downward spirals. Rather than condemning someone for their sin, we are to pray for them. There is to be a mutual concern as we pray for each other. In Jude 13, Jude calls those who have strayed from Christ, “wandering stars”. We need to pray that these wandering stars rediscover God’s truth. When we pray for each other, we also need to remember to pray with each other. Prayer can take place with anyone and anywhere!
Value of Prayer
Ultimately, James boils down his thoughts of prayer to this: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” In the past year, I have seen the following phrases on the social media:
Yet, J.R. Blue states, “The greatest assistance any believer can offer another is faithful prayer. Prayer is clear evidence of care. Prayer is the ‘hotline’ to the One who can provide for any need no matter how complex or impossible it may seem. To share in prayer, a believer must have a sensitivity to someone’s needs, engage in diligent applications for those needs, and recognize the significance of those needs.” What a difference in viewpoints about prayer! Prayer is powerful.
In one of my seminary classes, it was stated that nothing in the church can happen without prayer. Honestly, nothing in our lives can happen without prayer. Prayer should be your first effort, not your last. There are many ways to pray. There are formula prayers, prayers from the heart, centering prayers, silence, prayer letters, etc. Some prayers are like on-going conversations inside your head. One aspect of prayer that we can never neglect is listening. Contemplative prayer, or centering prayer, is simply being still in God’s presence, waiting, and listening.
For Jesus, prayer was not just a religious responsibility or obligation; prayer saturated His whole life and being. He prayed before each decision, miracle, and answer. Through prayer, Jesus allowed God to work through Him. His prayer life was more private than public, and it demonstrated a deep intimate relationship and dependency on God the Father. The story of the Bible is the story of God’s pursuit of man. He wants to restore us to a relationship with Him. Prayer is how we develop that relationship. God desires prayer as much as we need it.
Closing Thoughts
As you continue in your walk with Christ, I encourage you to build up a regular and effective prayer life. Turn to God first before everything you do. Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Even if others attack you from praying, don’t let that stop you from praying. Prayers are your conduit to God. It is through prayer that your relationship to God is formed and built. May God bless you as you go about the week! I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Remember: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
This week’s challenge:
If someone asks you to pray for them, I want you to stop right then and pray with them or over them. Do not just say you will pray for them and walk away (or log out). Stop and pray with them.
Further Suggested Study:
Sermon: Prayers of the Faithful by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: September 30, 2018
Key Passage: James 5:13-30
Key Points:
Opening
When do you pray? Even a person who does not pray regularly will turn to prayer in desperate times. It is used as a last-ditch effort. While prayer is powerful and can definitely help in desperate times, that is not really the definition or primary function of prayer. God gives us the gift of prayer. It is a way for us to communicate with God directly and to have a personal relationship with Him. James gives us some insight on a prayer-filled life in James 5:13-20. In this passage, James talks about the prayers of the faithful and gives four situations where prayer is necessary. It is necessary to pray during suffering, during sickness (spiritually or physically), for the nation, and for those who have strayed from Christ.
Four Situations
First, he says that if you are suffering then you should pray to God. Anyone can sing after the trouble has passed, but a mature Christian can sing in the midst of suffering and trouble. The primary bulk of our prayer life is full of intercessory prayer which further emphasizes our prayers for ourselves or for others amidst suffering.
Second, if you are cheerful, then you should praise God. A believer’s praise should be intelligent, meaningful, intentional, sincere, motivated by the Holy Spirit, and based on God’s Word. Our prayers and praise are expressions of our inner spiritual life.
Third, if you are sick, then call for others to pray over you and join you in prayer. The word here for sick is not necessarily in reference to physical illness. It has also been used for a weak faith or a weak conscience. James use the word here to point out those who are weak or weary in their faith journey. They have become morally or spiritually weak in the midst of great suffering. These people have simply lost their way and wandered from the faith. When James says we are to pray for these people, we are praying for revival and restoration rather than evangelism or redemption. This is not a prayer for the lost who have yet to find Christ. Rather, it is focusing on praying for those who know Christ but have wandered from the path. James also makes reference to anointing with oil. The word normally used for ceremonial anointing, which is what we often think of when we see a verse about anointing with oil, is not the word used here. The word for anointing with oil here is literally translated to “rub on oil”. It is referencing refreshment and grooming. Basically, it is about washing one’s face.
Fourth, we are to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other in our weaknesses and downward spirals. Rather than condemning someone for their sin, we are to pray for them. There is to be a mutual concern as we pray for each other. In Jude 13, Jude calls those who have strayed from Christ, “wandering stars”. We need to pray that these wandering stars rediscover God’s truth. When we pray for each other, we also need to remember to pray with each other. Prayer can take place with anyone and anywhere!
Value of Prayer
Ultimately, James boils down his thoughts of prayer to this: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” In the past year, I have seen the following phrases on the social media:
- Stop praying! Start acting!
- Thoughts and prayers are nothing more than empty empathy.
- Thoughts and prayers do nothing.
- Your cowardice to act cannot be whitewashed by thoughts and prayers.
- Do not pray for me!
Yet, J.R. Blue states, “The greatest assistance any believer can offer another is faithful prayer. Prayer is clear evidence of care. Prayer is the ‘hotline’ to the One who can provide for any need no matter how complex or impossible it may seem. To share in prayer, a believer must have a sensitivity to someone’s needs, engage in diligent applications for those needs, and recognize the significance of those needs.” What a difference in viewpoints about prayer! Prayer is powerful.
In one of my seminary classes, it was stated that nothing in the church can happen without prayer. Honestly, nothing in our lives can happen without prayer. Prayer should be your first effort, not your last. There are many ways to pray. There are formula prayers, prayers from the heart, centering prayers, silence, prayer letters, etc. Some prayers are like on-going conversations inside your head. One aspect of prayer that we can never neglect is listening. Contemplative prayer, or centering prayer, is simply being still in God’s presence, waiting, and listening.
For Jesus, prayer was not just a religious responsibility or obligation; prayer saturated His whole life and being. He prayed before each decision, miracle, and answer. Through prayer, Jesus allowed God to work through Him. His prayer life was more private than public, and it demonstrated a deep intimate relationship and dependency on God the Father. The story of the Bible is the story of God’s pursuit of man. He wants to restore us to a relationship with Him. Prayer is how we develop that relationship. God desires prayer as much as we need it.
Closing Thoughts
As you continue in your walk with Christ, I encourage you to build up a regular and effective prayer life. Turn to God first before everything you do. Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Even if others attack you from praying, don’t let that stop you from praying. Prayers are your conduit to God. It is through prayer that your relationship to God is formed and built. May God bless you as you go about the week! I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Remember: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
This week’s challenge:
If someone asks you to pray for them, I want you to stop right then and pray with them or over them. Do not just say you will pray for them and walk away (or log out). Stop and pray with them.
Further Suggested Study:
- James chapter 5
- Colossians 1:3-14
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