“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (v. 16) James had a reputation for being a man of prayer. Prayer is the greatest privilege of the Christian life—being able to talk to God—and it's the greatest power in the Christian life. Anything that God can do can be done through prayer.

WHEN SHOULD I PRAY?

James, in this passage, mentions there are three specific times when I really need to pray:

When I Am Hurting Emotionally

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.” (vs. 13) The word translated “trouble” in Greek literally means “to suffer misfortune, to be in distress.” He’s talking about being under stress, under tension. In Timothy the same word is translated “hardships.” James is talking about internal distress caused by external circumstances.

When I Am Hurting Physically

“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. 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.”

The word “sick” in Greek, literally means “without strength.” You are totally fatigued, bedridden, unable to work. It's the word most frequently used for illness. It's the same word describing Lazarus. When Lazarus got sick, he died. And the same word to describe Dorcas, and she died. And the same word that describes the man at the pool of Bethesda who sat there for years and years and didn't have enough energy to get up and get into the pool.

Sickness For Death: It's covered in 1 John 5:16, John 11:4. That kind of sickness God allows to take us on home to be with Him.

Sickness For Discipline: It’s covered in 1 Corinthians 11:28? 32 where people were abusing the Lord's Supper. The Lord is disciplining you because you're out of the will of God.

Sickness For The Glory Of God: It’s covered in John 11:4. This is a sickness that God has allowed in your life simply because He wants to heal you of it and let it be a testimony to the world.

The Sensationalist: These are the guys you see on TV. They come into town and hold giant meetings in large auditoriums, advertise miracles. Jesus never manipulated people and never used them for show. He healed people quietly.

The Confessionalists: They say that it is always God's will for everybody to be healed. This is the Name It and Claim It group. Sickness is a result of sin and all you need to do is claim your healing and God will heal. If you're not healed you lack faith.

Dispensationalists: The dispensationalists are those who say the gifts of healing were only for New Testament times and they're no longer around anymore.

Rationalists: These are the people who say it's just all in your mind. If you're ill it's because you think you're ill. Just deny it and it will go away—you'll be OK.

Realist: I believe James was a realist. This recognizes two facts: (1) the fact that God still does heal. He does heal but not everybody gets healed. That is also a fact of life. God does heal people today, but (2) He doesn't heal everybody. I think life is an example of that.

So what does James say to do when you are sick? You should call the elders of the church and ask them to pray over you.

When I Am Hurting Spiritually

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (vs. 16) What's the condition for healing? Confess. We'd rather conceal and camouflage our sins, than confess them. It is a liberating experience to confess your sins and get them out and share them, not just with the Lord but with each other.

“confess to each other” Does that mean I get up and confess to the whole church? No. There is a principle of the circle of confession. Only confess as widely as it involves other people. If I've got a private sin, just between me and the Lord, then I ought to just confess it to the Lord. If it's a personal sin, between me and you, then I need to come to you. If it's a public sin, then I need to apologize to the whole church. He says confess your sins, not broadcast them.

WHAT KIND OF PERSON CAN PRAY

Some people think you have to be a spiritual giant to pray and get answers. “I could never pray and see somebody healed” or “I could never pray and see a financial miracle.” Many Christians feel inferior. James uses Elijah as an illustration. “Elijah was a man just like us…” (1 Kings 19) The lesson of Elijah's life is you don't have to be perfect to pray or see answers to your prayers.

HOW CAN I PRAY EFFECTIVELY?

I Must Ask Be specific in your praying. (James 4:2)

Have The Right Motive Not selfish but for the glory of God. (James 4:3)

Live A Clean Life Not perfection, but righteousness. (James 5:16b)

Ask In Faith Expect an answer. (James 1:6)

West Phoenix Baptist Church

4449 W. Indian School Road

Phoenix, AZ 85031

Phone: 602-278-4012

Fax: 602-272-4672

E-mail: information@westphoenix.org

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