TRUSTING PRAYER

We should be putting much more confidence in our prayers.

(James 5:13-18) Is any of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and amount him with oil in the name of the Lord. 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. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

1. Praying That’s Bold

(17-18) He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

(17) Elijah was a man just like us.

A. God expects ordinary Christians to pray boldly.

B. God expects ordinary righteous Christians to pray boldly.

(16) the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

2. Praying That’s Benevolent

A. We are to pray for each other’s hurts.

(14) Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

· The elders/mentors are to be called.

· The elders/mentors should anoint the sick with oil.

· The elders/mentors should pray over the sick for healing.

B. The Lord answers us powerfully when we pray for each other’s hurts.

(15) And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

3. Praying That’s Balanced

(13) Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

A. We’re told to ask God for help when we suffer.

(1 Peter 5:7) Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

B. We’re told to sing praises to God when we’re happy.

(13b) Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.